DR Congo election: Three ministers, four governors disqualified for fraud, violence

Three ministers and four governors are among 82 candidates disqualified from the chaotic December 2023 general election in the Democratic Republic of Congo, because of fraud and violence. All votes cast for the 82 candidates were annulled. They were excluded from the legislative, provincial and local elections by the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI), on Friday, January 5, but its announcement did not address the presidential election that saw President Félix Tshisekedi re-elected. ALSO READ: DR Congo President Tshisekedi declared winner as opposition leaders call for mass protests against ‘electoral fraud’ The candidates disqualified include Antoinette Kipulu Kabenga, the minister for vocational training, Didier Mazenga Mukanzu, the regional integration minister, Nana Manwanina Kiumba, a minister in the president's office, and Gentiny Ngobila, the governor of Kinshasa province. The opposition has called the entire election a sham and demanded a rerun although only one of the 18 opposition candidates, Théodore Ngoy, who came last in the presidential election, has gone to the Constitutional Court to challenge the poll. The main opposition candidates said they have no faith in the Constitutional Court, or CENI, which they argue is subservient to the government, and have instead called for protests. ALSO READ: A chaotic DR Congo is much a danger to Congolese as it is to the region Tshisekedi – the son of veteran opposition leader Étienne Tshisekedi was first elected in 2019 – won about 73% of the vote, and his nearest challenger, Moise Katumbi, 18%, according to officials. The December 20, 2023 election marred by widespread logistical problems had to be extended to a second day in some parts of the vast country. Initial results from the presidential and legislative elections marked by widespread logistical troubles began to trickle in on December 23, with the electoral commission announcing results for Congolese voters living in South Africa, Belgium, France, Canada and the United States. ALSO READ: 2023 leaves eastern DR Congo as unstable as ever The DR Congo's Constitutional Court is expected to confirm the provisional results on January 10.

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DR Congo election: Three ministers, four governors disqualified for fraud, violence