DRC elections rescheduled

JULY 30 IS THE NEW DATE FOR CONGOLESE TO ELECT THEIR NEXT PRESIDENT.

For several weeks now, we have impatiently awaited an announcement of a new poll date, ever since the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) decided to extend the deadline for registration of Parliamentary candidates and the deadline for payment of the $50,000 registration fee for Presidential candidates, requiring, quite logically, pushing back the poll date.

Three years ago, when the transitional government was put in place, it was stated that elections should take place by June 30, 2005. Gradually the date was postponed to June 30, 2006 (extensions allowed).

This time, the election date is past that allowed by the extensions. I am not certain that campaigning guidelines have been followed either, since I heard some mention of Mr. Malu Malu, head of the CEI, allowing campaigning ahead of the official start date (30 days before the election??).

But at least the elections are back on the calendar.

I, for one, am relieved.