DRC: Post Election Statement

Kinshasa, Friday, 17 November 2006

EISA deployed a regional observer mission to observe the voting and counting at polling stations and the compilation of results for the 2nd Round Presidential and the Provincial elections held in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on 29 October 2006.

The team was composed of 50 representatives of civil society organisations, electoral management bodies, political parties and academics mainly from the southern and west African regions. Members of the mission, comprising both short and medium term observers, began arriving in the DRC from 11 October 2006. The short term team observed the voting and counting at the polling stations before leaving on 1 November. A total of 28 medium term observers remained in all the provinces of the country to observe the tabulation of results at the compilation centres and bureaux de liaisons in both the main cities and in the interior. The mission will remain until the announcement of the final results by the Supreme Court.

Based on its observations the Mission found that overall the process was transparent and this enhanced the integrity and credibility of the process and its outcome. The Mission's main findings during the post-election phase of the electoral process are as follows:

  • There was a discernible improvement in the application of procedures and adherence to the regulations since the first round elections on 30 July 2006. The Mission attributes this to effective re-training of the election staff;
  • The computerisation of the tabulation process promoted the transparency of the process, and allowed for the quick and impartial transmission of results;
  • Mission members noted that in the compilation centres, the six stage process of receiving and compiling the ballots, including the verification of the materials, enhanced the transparency of the process;
  • The high level of party and candidate representation at the compilation centres contributed to the transparency and credibility of the tabulation process;
  • The compilation centres were well secured;
  • Minor discrepancies and disputes were recorded at the compilation centres. These were amicably resolved. The process at this level was inclusive. Members of the Mission also noted the involvement of party agents in the resolution of disputes;
  • Party agents and domestic and international observers displayed a commitment to the process through their continuous presence throughout the compilation process.

The mission identified the following areas for improvement:

  • There was congestion at reception centres and this created delays;
  • In some areas, there was confusion when large volumes of materials were received at the compilation centre and the staff was overwhelmed;
  • Some of the centres were not large enough to allow for the smooth flow of the tabulation process;
  • In some instances, there was insufficient transport for the movement of election materials;
  • The challenges were also exacerbated by the long distances that the materials were transported from counting centres to compilation centres;
  • There was a delay in the announcement of results at the local level as the officials had to send results to Kinshasa first and receive permission from the national CEI office before announcing the results at the local compilation centres;

The mission noted that the system of voting by derogation was agreed upon by both Presidential candidates and was designed to allow as many people as possible to vote. This not withstanding the high level of votes by derogation, is a cause for concern although it would appear that it does not overly benefit one candidate over another. We urge the authorities concerned to fully investigate this matter.

In conclusion, the mission finds as follows:

  • The compilation process began slowly but moved faster with time which resulted in its completion before the advance date.
  • The transparency of the compilation and the involvement of all stakeholders enhanced the integrity of the election.
  • The presence and commitment of key electoral stakeholders, such as party agents, domestic and international observers throughout the compilation process, enhanced the credibility of the process.
  • The improved training of CEI staff at compilation centres ensured that it was efficient and that discrepancies noted were resolved without delay.

On the basis of the above observations and based on the Principles for Election Management, Monitoring and Observation in the SADC Region (PEMMO) the Mission observes that the results announced by the CEI on 15 November 2006 are largely credible and consistent with what the Mission observed at the polling and compilation centres and that the outcome is credible, legitimate and reflects the will of Congolese voters.

The mission congratulates the people of the DRC for the generally mature manner in which they have conducted themselves since the beginning of this historic process. We urge all candidates and their supporters to accept the results of the elections. Should there be disputes, these should be referred to the relevant institutions. We wish the Congolese a peaceful and prosperous future and a continued consolidation of democracy in the country.

On behalf of the EISA Regional Observer Mission
Belinda Musanhu, Mission Coordinator

Contact details

In Kinshasa - Belinda Musanhu, +243 81 389 53 89
In Johannesburg - Ilona Tip, +27 83 629 52 59