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South African Observer Mission (SAOM) - Statement by the
Leader of the Mission, Mr. Mluleki George, Deputy Minister of Defense, on the
Democratic Republic of Congo's 29 October 2006 2nd Round Presidential and Provincial
Elections, Kinshasa, 31 October 2006 KINSHASA, 31
OCTOBER 2006 1. INTRODUCTION
It is
my pleasure, as the leader of the South African Observer Mission (SAOM), to release
the Mission's interim statement on the 29 October 2006 Democratic Republic of
Congo's presidential runoff and provincial elections. This statement covers the
period from 13 October until 31 October 2006, however the Mission will continue
to observe the counting and capturing of election results. Following an
invitation by the Electoral Commission (CEI) of the DRC, South Africa deployed
a 108-member observer mission to observe the second round of the presidential
and provincial elections in the DRC. The SAOM was multi-sectoral in its composition,
consisting of Members of Parliament, government officials and civil society organisations.
South Africa's deployment of the Observer Mission comes within the context of
her principled commitment to the African Agenda, peace, security and development. The
main contingent of the SAOM arrived in the DRC on 22 October 2006 while a few
observers had arrived on 11 October 2006. The South African observers were deployed
in all eleven provinces of the DRC with an average of three teams in each province.
The deployment in all the eleven provinces provided the Mission with a general
sense of what was taking place in the entire country. The Mission is thus able
to confidently comment on these elections. The SAOM concludes that 29 October
2006 presidential runoff and provincial elections were conducted in a climate
conducive for a democratic expression of the will of the people of the DRC. Under
very difficult conditions, logistical challenges and limited resources, CEI has
once again managed to organise successful elections. The Mission was weary
of the security situation in the country after the violent clashes that followed
the announcement of the first round presidential results. However, the agreements
signed between the two presidential candidates, President Kabila and Vice-President
Bemba sought to diffuse the tense situation following the August clashes. 2.
ELECTION PROCESS The second round of the presidential elections in the DRC
was organised as per Article 71 of the country's new constitution and Article
114 of the electoral law that stipulate that should there be no clear winner with
51% of the votes on the 1st round of presidential elections, a second round should
be organised between the top two presidential candidates. South African
observers noted that the voters' roll was made available at the polling centres
for inspection. Before Election Day, many voters went to check their names on
the roll. The SAOM noted that voters whose names did not appear on the roll were
assisted by the CEI. Those who lost their voting cards were issued with duplicate
cards. Under very difficult conditions, logistical challenges and limited
resources, the CEI staff members displayed a high degree of professionalism, independence
and impartiality. The CEI remarkably managed to deliver the election material
at all polling stations in this vast country. The SAOM noted the important
contribution of the international community in assisting the CEI accomplish some
of its objectives.
Freedom of expression remains one of the critical
tools used as a yardstick to measure a country's adherence to principles of good
governance. The election process in the DRC received extensive coverage in the
country's media. The Media Regulator Authority, in consultation with the
CEI, was to a greater extent able to ensure that the media adhered to the code
of conduct.
The election campaign process proceeded in a relatively peaceful
environment. Political candidates were able to conduct their election campaigns.
Political rallies were well attended and in most cases went without incident.
The SAOM noted with regret that lives were lost during isolated incidents
of violence. While this was tragic, the election campaigns, in general, proceeded
peacefully and voters were not deterred from going to voting stations on Election
Day. Civic and voter education form a critical part in creating an environment
conducive to holding credible and democratic elections. According to the Electoral
Law, the CEI is responsible for the implementation and coordination of voter and
civic education campaigns. The SAOM noted evidence of an effective voter
education campaign conducted in a multi-faceted fashion which drew in governmental,
non-governmental and political party resources and networks. The SAOM noted the
important role played by radio in the education programmes. This helped many people
who do not have access to televisions and newspapers. The Mission noted that the
electorate was reasonably informed and had a good sense of where their polling
stations would be located and how to vote. The SAOM commends CEI, political
parties, civil society and non-governmental organisations that conducted voter
education. Civic education plays an important role in raising public awareness,
confidence and legitimacy of the electoral process. 3.
Election Day On the Election Day, voting took place in all eleven provinces
in about 50 000 polling stations. The majority of the voting stations opened on
time with a few exceptions where they could not open due to a number of problems
including heavy rain, lack of electricity and late delivery of election material.
In general, voting proceeded smoothly in the presence of party agents and both
national and international election observers. Even where the polling stations
did not open on time, the voting process, as required by the electoral law, was
allowed to continue beyond the stipulated time to make up for the late start. The
SAOM did not observe any major incidents of irregularities with the voting process.
On the contrary, Election Day was marked by a general atmosphere of calm. Voters
patiently stood in queues waiting to cast their votes. The SAOM noted a
few incidents of violence in Bumba in the Equateur Province where two people were
reported to have died following clashes between supporters of two political parties.
This resulted in the suspension of voting in the area. The elections in this area
are scheduled to be conducted on 31 October 2006. The SAOM hopes that appropriate
security measures will be put in place to ensure that the elections in the affected
area take place in a conducive environment. The Mission further calls on all the
political parties involved to reign on their supporters. The Mission also
noted with great concern an incident in Ituri District where two CEI staff members
are reported to have been killed and eight people injured. The SAOM views
these incidents in a serious light and regrets the loss of life. The Mission
commends CEI for the professional and impartial manner in which it conducted and
managed these elections, thereby creating space for voters to express their choices
freely and without fear of intimidation. The Mission further commends the
national police (PNC) for securing the elections and promptly intervened when
required. The SAOM commends the two presidential candidates for signing
a Joint Appeal and Declaration committing themselves to peaceful process and accepting
the results of the elections. 4. CONCLUSIONS/OBSERVATIONS The
SAOM wishes to thank CEI and the people of the DRC for the opportunity afforded
to South Africa to observe these historic elections. The SAOM observed
that during these elections the people of the DRC were provided with a platform
to freely elect representatives of their choice. Voting took place in a reasonably
peaceful environment and electoral officers performed their tasks impartially
and professionally. The SAOM applauds the people of Congo for turning up
in large numbers to elect their leaders thus demonstrating their quest for peace,
national independence, national unity and reconciliation, democracy, human rights
and development. The SAOM commends the candidates in the presidential runoff
for observing the electoral code of conduct and encouraging their supporters and
coalition partners to adhere to this code. The SAOM is optimistic that
the Congolese political leadership will honour the recent agreements entered into
in the interest of taking the country forward to sustainable peace, stability
and economic development. The SAOM commends the South African Independent
Electoral Commission for deploying its experts throughout the country to assist
its DRC sister Commission to execute its mandate. The SAOM notes the important
contribution of the international community, particularly MONUC, in assisting
CEI conduct these elections. The SAOM further calls on the international
community to continue to support the people of Congo as they embark on post electoral
reconstruction and development. The SAOM concludes that the DRC's presidential
and provincial elections were democratic, peaceful, credible and transparent.
The Mission is of the view that space was created for the people of the DRC to
freely choose their leaders. The challenge now facing the political leaders is
to ensure that reconstruction of the country takes place for the betterment of
the lives of all Congolese. It is our belief that through these elections,
the DRC has opened a new chapter in its history and it is a privilege to have
been part of this new beginning. May this great nation of Congo experience
peace and prosperity. Thank you very much. Issued by Vincent Hlongwane
(Spokesperson for the SAOM in the DRC)
+2782 385 1169 South African
Embassy
Kinshasa
Democratic Republic of the Congo 31 October
2006
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