The 3rd edition of a local press forum took place on Saturday 15 August 2015 within MONUSCO compound in Dungu around the theme “Diagnosis of the electoral process in Dungu, profile and perspectives”, presentation given by a local INEC official, Mr. Maboy Guylain. The meeting was attended by political and administrative officials as well as representatives of MONUSCO, the civil society organizations, the local press and students.

The introductory remark made by Mr. Maboy included 8 items:

1. The outcomes of the all-inclusive Sun City agreement


2. the different types of elections in DR Congo


3. the electoral cycle in Dungu


4. the operational cartography


5. the updating of the voters’ registry to make it credible


6. Issuance of the duplicates of voters’ cards for those who lost them


7. the comprehensive calendar


8. Challenges faced with Dungu’s elections

We shall remember the presentation made by the head of the Independent National Electoral Commission who said the electoral process is proceeding its course normally and activities planned prior to the provincial elections were indeed accomplished, especially the reception and handling of 36 candidates’ files (including 4 women) shortlisted on the tentative list for 2 seats and not a single case of procedure for contentious dispute have been reported.





Mr. Maboy Guylain further said at the end of the updating of the voters’ register and operational mapping, Dungu currently has 238 villages 24 of which were deserted by their populations, 11 rural districts, 15 urban districts. Regarding the last item of his presentation, namely the challenges faced by the elections in Dungu, the speaker specified that the difficulties are mainly due to the « security situation and mindset» of the population in Dungu.

There are several types of challenges:

• The presence of LRA and local gangs
• The groupings and/or villages deserted by the populations;
• Refusal by some Heads of registration Centers to transmit the CDs with data on voters; registration to the hierarchy;
• Voters; sensitization does not cover the whole territory
• Unpaid MBVD and staff having deployed electoral kits during the 2011 elections.

The major concerns expressed by the audience during the questions and answers session revolved around the challenges brought up by Mr. Maboy Guylain, faced by the elections in Dungu.

To the question regarding the presence of LRA elements and local gangs, the head of INEC said the national Police and FARDC in collaboration with MONUSCO will ensure security; regarding some groupings and/or villages deserted by their inhabitants due to the presence of LRA, he reported that the local populations were returning gradually. About some Heads of registration Centers who were not willing to transmit CDs with voters’ registration data to the hierarchy, local INEC chief said this problem was addressed through the voters; register updating operations to make the register credible.

With regard to the unpaid staff having worked for the polling stations and the staff who deployed electoral kits during the 2011 elections, Mr. Maboy said Government is aware and would solve this issue any time soon. About voters’ sensitization that does not cover the entire territory, the speaker highlighted the need for an effective involvement of local non-state actors to help INEC cover the whole of the territory of Dungu.

The third press forum held in Dungu was the opportunity to learn a bit more about the ongoing electoral process. The audience was satisfied with the responses and clarifications given by local INEC official, Mr. Maboy Guylain, who proved very familiar with the subjects dealt with.


It is worth underscoring that Dungu Press Forum is MONUSCO Public Division initiative in partnership with the local press