Results for ministers, governors annulled in DR Congo over fraud

Kinshasa, DR Congo – The Democratic Republic of Congo’s election authority, CENI, announced on Friday the annulment of recent election results for three government ministers and four provincial governors, citing fraud, acts of vandalism, voter intimidation, and illegal possession of voting machines.

The move follows a controversial election last month that was marked by bureaucratic chaos and vehemently rejected by the Congolese political opposition.

CENI disclosed the cancellation of all ballots cast for 82 election candidates, including three sitting government ministers and four provincial governors.

The affected ministers include Antoinette Kipulu Kabenga, minister for vocational training; Didier Mazenga Mukanzu, minister of regional integration; and Nana Manuanina Kihimba, a minister in the president’s office.

Four provincial governors, notably Gentiny Ngobila, the head of Kinshasa province, were also named in the list of annulled results.

The decision to nullify the votes was attributed to fraud, voter intimidation, acts of vandalism, and the illegal possession of voting machines.

CENI spokespersons were not immediately available for comment on the development.

ministers Incumbent President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and presidential candidate Felix Tshisekedi of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) political party (3rd R) waves to his supporters at the Stade des Martyrs during his first campaign rally as the electoral campaign officially kicks off ahead of the 2023 general elections in Kinshasa on 19 November 2023. — **FILE:** Incumbent President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and presidential candidate Felix Tshisekedi of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) political party (3rd R) waves to his supporters at the Stade des Martyrs during his first campaign rally as the electoral campaign officially kicks off ahead of the 2023 general elections in Kinshasa on 19 November 2023. [Picture via: AFP]

The election, held on December 20, faced significant challenges, including bureaucratic disarray and widespread delays.

The electoral commission extended the vote by one day, and in some remote areas, voting continued until December 27.

Incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi secured a decisive victory with 73 percent of the votes, according to provisional results.

The Constitutional Court is expected to confirm the results later this month.

However, the leading Congolese opposition politicians have rejected the election, citing irregularities and delays, and have called for a rerun.

While church leaders in the country, who deployed their own election observers, noted numerous irregularities and urged an investigation, they stopped short of declaring the election fraudulent.

The situation remains tense as the DRC navigates through the aftermath of the disputed election.