Democratic Republic of the Congo general election, 2011
Encyclopedia
Presidential and parliamentary elections were held in Democratic Republic of the Congo
on 28 November 2011; a facultative run-off on 26 February 2012 was shelved with a change in election laws.
The government passed laws to abolish the second round of the presidential election and to change from proportional to majority representation, which has been strongly criticised by the opposition.
Vital Kamerhe
is seen as one of the primary challengers to incumbent president Joseph Kabila
; there is a movement to unite behind him as a single opposition candidate.
Concerns have been raised about the transparency of the elections by a number of international organizations, which have called for an increase in the number of observers. Criticism has also been raised about the neglect of international organizations, namely the United Nations and the European Union in their support for the elections in the DR Congo.
On 8 November, 2011 opposition leader Étienne Tshisekedi
declared himself president saying the majority of people turned against President Kabila.
On 28 November, 2011 elections were held under difficult conditions. There were incidents of violence throughout the country and chaotic voting. Because of violence and delays in the delivery of ballot boxes elections were extended by a second day.
has registered 32 million voters for the November elections.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
on 28 November 2011; a facultative run-off on 26 February 2012 was shelved with a change in election laws.
The government passed laws to abolish the second round of the presidential election and to change from proportional to majority representation, which has been strongly criticised by the opposition.
Vital Kamerhe
Vital Kamerhe
Vital Kamerhe is a Congolese politician. Former Speaker of the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and former Minister of Information, he is currently Honorary President of the National Assembly, founder and leader of the UNC party and candidate to the 2011 presidential...
is seen as one of the primary challengers to incumbent president Joseph Kabila
Joseph Kabila
Joseph Kabila Kabange is a Congolese politician who has been President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo since January 2001. He took office ten days after the assassination of his father, President Laurent-Désiré Kabila...
; there is a movement to unite behind him as a single opposition candidate.
Concerns have been raised about the transparency of the elections by a number of international organizations, which have called for an increase in the number of observers. Criticism has also been raised about the neglect of international organizations, namely the United Nations and the European Union in their support for the elections in the DR Congo.
On 8 November, 2011 opposition leader Étienne Tshisekedi
Étienne Tshisekedi
Étienne Tshisekedi wa Mulumba is a lawyer, politician, and leader of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress which is a political party in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was Prime Minister of the country on three brief occasions: in 1991, 1992–1993, and 1997...
declared himself president saying the majority of people turned against President Kabila.
On 28 November, 2011 elections were held under difficult conditions. There were incidents of violence throughout the country and chaotic voting. Because of violence and delays in the delivery of ballot boxes elections were extended by a second day.
Candidates
- Jean Andeka Djamba (ANCC)
- Adam Bombole (independent)
- Joseph KabilaJoseph KabilaJoseph Kabila Kabange is a Congolese politician who has been President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo since January 2001. He took office ten days after the assassination of his father, President Laurent-Désiré Kabila...
(independent) - Nicéphore Kakese (URDC)
- Vital KamerheVital KamerheVital Kamerhe is a Congolese politician. Former Speaker of the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and former Minister of Information, he is currently Honorary President of the National Assembly, founder and leader of the UNC party and candidate to the 2011 presidential...
(UNC) - Oscar Kashala (UREC)
- Kengo wa DondoKengo Wa DondoLéon Kengo Wa Dondo served as the "first state commissioner" several times under Mobutu Sese Seko in Zaïre. He was one of the most powerful figures in the regime and was a strong advocate of economic globalization and free-market economics...
(UFC) - Ismaël Kitenge (MRC-PTF)
- Antipas Mbusa NyamwisiAntipas Mbusa NyamwisiAntipas Mbusa Nyamwisi is a politician and former rebel leader in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He leads the Forces for Renewal political party and was Minister of Decentralization and Urban and Regional Planning until September 2011 when he resigned to run for President...
(RCD/KML) - Nzanga MobutuNzanga MobutuFrançois-Joseph Mobutu Nzanga Ngbangawe is a politician in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is a son of former president Mobutu Sese Seko...
(Udemo) - Josué Alex Mukendi Kamama (independent)
- Bernadette Ngoy Mafuta (independent)
- Étienne TshisekediÉtienne TshisekediÉtienne Tshisekedi wa Mulumba is a lawyer, politician, and leader of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress which is a political party in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was Prime Minister of the country on three brief occasions: in 1991, 1992–1993, and 1997...
(UDPS)
Registration
DR Congo's National Independent Electoral CommissionIndependent Electoral Commission (DRC)
The Independent Electoral Commission runs elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.-External links:*...
has registered 32 million voters for the November elections.
| Province | Registered voters |
|---|---|
| Kinshasa | 3,287,745 |
| Bas-Congo | 1,502,939 |
| Bandundu | 3,553,322 |
| Equateur | 3,960,643 |
| Orientale | 3,886,524 |
| North Kivu | 3,003,246 |
| South Kivu | 2,022,960 |
| Maniema | 874,809 |
| Katanga | 4,627,302 |
| Kasai Oriental | 2,643,905 |
| Kasai Occidental | 2,661,245 |
| Total | 32,024,640 |