DR Congo: UN canvasses for peaceful, inclusive polls as citizens vote on general elections
The United Nations has called on the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to hold “peaceful, transparent, and inclusive elections.”
The call for peaceful polls came barely some hours to the commencement of elections in the DRC as more than 40 million citizens set to vote in the general election in which President Felix Tshisekedi is seeking a second five-year term in office as the leader of the resources-rich nation.
Stephane Dujarric, the UN spokesperson said the “Secretary-General (Antonio Guterres) reaffirms the continued support of the United Nations, through his Special Representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the Congolese people and looks forward to the holding of peaceful, transparent, and inclusive elections that will consolidate the country’s democratic institutions and put it on the path of economic prosperity.”
The UN boss further “ calls on the authorities of the DRC, political leaders, civil society, and the Commission Electorale Nationale Independante (CENI) to ensure that all eligible voters have access to the polling stations and cast their ballots freely, without fear of intimidation or political persecution.”
Dujarric encouraged all political actors and supporters to distance themselves from actions that would provoke more violence or worsen hate speech against certain communities or groups, as well as assaults on women candidates in the political race.
President Tshisekedi has been tipped to win the Presidential election after spending five years in office.
The main talking points among the candidates are unemployment and insecurity, closely followed by the state of the country’s roads and rising prices.
