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Elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo thus far successful: UN and Carter Center recognize success in presidential election

November 4, 2006

Here at the IIJD, we are closely watching the developments and awaiting the outcome of the presidential runoff election in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Thus far, the presence of election monitoring, peacekeeping and aid from the United Nations has helped to make the democratic process relatively fair and peaceful for the people of the DRC. Additionally, recent news that the Carter Center has approved of the fairness of Congolese elections is another sign that progress is being made towards strengthening the institution of democracy in Africa. Even in the Fataki region, where there was a shooting and ensuing riots, fair polling has resumed. The IIJD encourages organizations involved in the elections that contribute in the establishment of the infrastructures needed for free and fair elections. We do not support those who send observers of elections only days before the votes just to rubber stamp and provide support to dictatorial regimes in exchange of favors and other resources.

Nowadays, Africans need more than formal democracy on paper. The continent needs more than traditional big economic theories. Africans need a society where people are free to lead their own live without fear of their own government officials. They need Organizations and corporations that can assist them in resolving their problems of corruption, weak institutions, bad governance, accountability and dictatorship.

For democracy to flourish, elections must reflect the will of the people. Fair and transparent elections, organized by an independent electoral body, enable well informed citizens to choose new representatives and national leaders. Such elections also test the strength of existing democratic institutions and processes. The IIJD’s Elections and Political Processes (EPP) programs are designed to strengthen or develop electoral structures and infrastructures, inter-party regional dialogue, independent electoral commissions, electoral codes of good conduct as a platform for transparent elections.

The IIJD's EPP programs reserve a special attention to the electoral processes by which informed citizens freely elect their leaders and participate in all levels of public policy-making. This goal can only be met by encouraging and promoting:  Good electoral laws; transparency of the voting process; elections monitoring; public and civic education; and more importantly, the establishment of Independent Electoral Commissions responsible for the organization of the elections from the voters’ registration, campaign regulations to the results.

With most of these prerequisites in place in the DRC, both candidates for the Presidency, Mr. Kabila and Mr. Bemba, stated that they will accept the outcome of the final vote count. A peaceful election in the Democratic Republic of Congo will be a great symbol of the development of liberal democracy throughout Africa. Indeed, the news reports of the past week show positive signs of greater involvement by civil society groups than in elections past. The high voter turnout in the Democratic Republic of Congo is yet another step in actualizing the vast potential for change and progress in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The IIJD believes that if these peaceful, free and fair elections are a milestone achievement for the progression of democracy and development throughout the continent. With this successful case in hand, the international community and the people of Africa will continue in their progress for a fully democratic Africa.