DRC Election 2023: Voting to Go Ahead Despite Conflict in the Eastern Region

The Democratic Republic of Congo is set to hold its presidential, legislative, and provincial elections on Wednesday, December 20, 2023. However, residents in the eastern region will not be able to vote due to ongoing conflict. The DRC Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) has assured that the elections will be credible despite the challenges. CENI president Denis Kadima said that they have been planning for the elections for years and have overcome glitches in the voter registration process. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observer Mission (SEOM) is also confident that the elections will be free, fair, and transparent. SEOM head of mission Enoch Kavindele urged all registered voters to exercise their civic and political rights by voting on December 20.