M George releases final report of SA Observer Mission on DRC
elections

7 September 2006

1. Introduction

As the leader of the South African Observer Mission (SAOM), it is my
pleasure to release the final report of the South African Observer Mission on
the 30 July 2006, Democratic Republic Congo�s presidential and legislative
elections. This report covers the period from 19 July until the official
announcement of the provisional presidential results, i.e. 20 August 2006. The
SAOM notes though that the final presidential results have yet to be announced
while the capturing of the legislative results is still to be finalised.

Following an invitation by the Independent Electoral Commission of the DRC,
South Africa deployed a 108-member national observer mission to observe the 30
July 2006, DRC�s presidential and legislative elections. The SAOM was
multi-sectoral in its composition, consisting of Members of Parliament (MPs),
government officials, religious groups as well as civil society organisations.
I had the honour of leading the Mission.

Members of the SAOM arrived in the DRC on 19 July 2006 and observed all the
phases of the elections. The South African observers were deployed in all 11
provinces of the DRC with an average of three teams in each province.
Considering the background of civil strife and autocratic rule, which marked
most of the country�s history since independence, infrastructure challenges and
the fact that these elections were the first democratic elections in forty
years, the 30 July 2006, DRC�s presidential and legislative elections were a
remarkable achievement and success.

The SAOM noted the announcement of the provisional presidential results on
20 August. As no candidate managed to receive the required majority for an
outright win, the top two presidential candidates, President Joseph Kabila and
Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba will contest the presidential run-off that is
scheduled for 29 October 2006.

2. Election process

The election process proceeded in a relatively peaceful environment.
Political candidates were able to conduct their election campaigns without
interference. The SAOM noted with regret that some lives were lost during
isolated incidents of violence. While this was tragic, the election process, in
general, proceeded peacefully.

On the election day, voting took place in all the eleven provinces of the
country in about 50 000 polling stations. The majority of voting stations
opened on time with a few exceptions where stations opened late due to a number
of problems including lack of electricity and late delivery of election
material. In general, voting proceeded smoothly in the presence of party agents
and national and international election observers.

The SAOM also noted cases where ballot boxes, due to the size of some of the
ballot papers, filled up quickly. Additional ballot boxes were however supplied
timeously. This did not have any material impact on the voting process. The
SAOM did not observe any incidents of irregularities with the voting process.
On the contrary, election day was marked by a general atmosphere of calm.
Voters stood patiently in queues, waiting to cast their votes. The SAOM noted a
sense of excitement on the part of voters. Remembering their own first
democratic general elections in South Africa in 1994, the SAOM could not but
share the excitement and a sense of relief of the people of Congo.

The Mission commends the DRC Election Commission (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.

3. Counting process

The results compilation and verification process was very transparent. Party
agents representing political parties and independent candidates were present
at all times. Cell phones were allowed inside the premises. Journalists were
given unrestricted access to the centre. Some used media-recording devices such
as video cameras to record the process. It is the view of the Mission that the
unrestricted access and openness of the process at the results centres
indicated a high level of transparency that is not common in other
countries.

The Mission is of the view that this unrestricted access by the media, party
agents and observers has assisted in improving the confidence and legitimacy of
the process and reduced the likelihood of tampering with the data. The SAOM
noted the important contribution of the international community, particularly
the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), in
assisting the CEI conduct these elections. The SAOM commends the South African
Independent Electoral Commission for deploying its experts throughout the DRC
to assist its DRC sister Commission to execute its mandate.

4. Recommendations

4.1 Non payment of CEI staff

The SAOM noted the complaints by some CEI staff members who alleged that
they had not been paid their wages for the December 2005 Constitutional
Referendum. The Mission noted that despite these complaints CEI officials were
still prepared to make their services available for the general good of the
country. Their level of professionalism and dedication was remarkable. In this
regard, the SAOM recommends that the CEI needs to ensure early payment of wages
to its staff members throughout the country. The SAOM notes that if this is not
done on time, it has the potential to negatively affect future elections
including the upcoming second round of the presidential and provincial
elections.

4.2 Civic and voter education

The SAOM noted that the CEI had managed to conduct civic and voter education
resulting in an informed electorate. Voter education is a critical part of a
democratic process as it provides public confidence, awareness and legitimacy
in the electoral process. In view of the upcoming presidential run-off and the
provincial elections, the SAOM recommends that the CEI should continue with its
civic and voter education. In this regard, the SAOM urges the international
community to continue to support the CEI technically and financially.

5. Conclusion/Observation

The SAOM wishes to thank the Electoral Commission (CEI) and the people of
the DRC for the opportunity to have been invited 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 admirably. Taking advantage of these elections, the first
in forty years, the people of Congo turned up in large numbers to choose their
leaders, hoping for peace, national independence, national unity and
reconciliation, democracy, human rights and development.

The SAOM noted with great appreciation the calm manner in which the ordinary
Congolese have welcomed the provisional presidential results. The SAOM noted
with regret the violent clashes that erupted in the capital of the DRC,
Kinshasa, following the release of the provisional presidential results. The
Mission deeply regrets the loss of life as result of the clashes.

The SAOM urges the candidates in the presidential runoff to demonstrate a
high sense of responsibility, put an end to the escalation of hostilities in
the country and create conditions conducive for the successful conclusion of
the electoral process. In this regard, the candidates to the presidential
runoff would need to agree to a code of conduct.

The SAOM is confident though that the Congolese political leadership will
build on the successful first round of the presidential and legislative
elections and take the country forward to lasting peace, stability and economic
development. The SAOM further calls on the international community to continue
to support the people of Congo as they prepare for the second round of the
presidential and provincial elections scheduled for 29 October 2006.

The SAOM concludes that the DRC�s presidential and legislative elections
were democratic, peaceful, credible and remarkably 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 leaders is to ensure reconstruction
of the country for the betterment of the lives of the Congolese.

Thank you very much.

Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
7 September 2006