On March 23, 2006, The Independent Electoral Commission extended the deadline for presidential and legislative races to April 2, 2006.

The extension of the deadline clearly reveals one of two key flaws of the electoral process.The first is the election timetable, particularly the unrealistically short timeframe (March 9 - March 23) given to candidates to register and make their deposits. The second key flaw is the outrageous deposits required for candidates running for legislative ($250 USD) and presidential ($50,000 USD) offices.

The financial requirements imposed by the electoral commission are particularly egregious, especially when you take into consideration that the per capita income of the Congo is less than $100 per year and 80 percent of the population lives on less than 30 cents per day.(Source: Congo Ministry of Planning, 2005)

According to a leading Belgium newspaper, La Libre Belgique (January 30, 2006), the financial requirements were set up to benefit the rich or essentially those who enriched themselves by being in power during the transition period (June 2003 - present) and are too unpopular to win a fair and equitable election.

Etienne Tshisekedi, leader of the Union For Democratic and Social Progress (UPDS in French) political party has yet to participate pending a decision on whether his supporters who boycotted the voter registration process leading up to the referendum of December 2005 will now be allowed to register for the June 18 elections.

Long-time pro-democracy advocate and former vice-prime minister to Patrice Lumumba, Antoine Gizenga of the Unified Lumumbist Party and Azarias Ruberwa of the Rawandan backed Rally for a Congolese Democracy will now participate in the elections after holding out over the past few weeks.

Although there is much hope that the elections will serve as a catalyst for stability in the Congo, many obstacles remain, not the least in which is the electoral process itself. Organizing an election in a country the size of Western Europe with virtually no roads or transportation infrastructure is a remarkable challenge, especially for a country that has not held an election in almost a half-century. The problem is compounded in trying to undertake such a feat in less than three months.

Many grassroots activists and observers believe that the process is fixed in favor of President Kabila. The $50,000 non-refundable deposit was one clear and early sign. In addition, logistical issues as basic as preparation and printing of ballots are also a concern. Security at the polls is yet another obstacle, particularly in the east of the country where fighting is still taking place. Probably the most ominous sign of trouble to come is the lack of will on the part of the former belligerents to integrate their troops into the national armed forces. It is believed that these troops may be called upon in case the election results do not go in favor of their candidate, hence spiraling the country back into full blown conflict.

Those wishing to see the Congo chart an independent course should advocate for a transparent and inclusive electoral process particularly to those countries that are a part of the Independent Electoral Commission. In addition, it should be impressed upon neighboring countries not to interfere in the process, especially by arming and funding rebel groups inside the country.

===============
Please remember to visit our "Upcoming Events" section to view latest events taking place in North America regarding the Congo. Click here to view upcoming events on the Congo!