confident about the 30 July Elections in the DRC
28 July 2006
The leader of the South African Observer Mission (SAOM) to the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC), Deputy Defence Minister Mluleki George, has expressed
confidence that the 30 July 2006 Presidential and Parliamentary elections will
take place as scheduled.
As election campaigning comes to a close, the mood in the DRC has been that
of enthusiasm and anticipation in spite of sporadic disruptive incidents that
have been reported in some parts of the country. The DRC Independent Electoral
Commission (IEC) continued this week to intensify its voter education
activities in order to get the citizens ready for polling day. They have also
confirmed that all voting material, including ballot papers, have been received
and ready for use.
Deputy Defence Minister Mluleki George has on Friday, 28 July 2006, the
final day of campaigning by all political parties paid special tribute to all
South Africans who have collectively and individually volunteered their time
and expertise in helping the Congolese people hold their first democratic
elections in over forty years.
Deputy Minister Mluleki George is currently leading the SAOM to the DRC. The
SAOM is stationed in the DRC until 4 August 2006 to observe all phases of the
elections, including election campaigns, the voting process and the counting of
votes. They are deployed in all the 11 provinces in the DRC.
Enquiries:
Vincent Hlongwane
Cell: 082 385 1169
Sam Mkhwanazi
Cell: 083 628 0858
Lindo Nkomonde
Cell: 082 875 9631
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the South African
Observer Mission
28 July 2006
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs (http//:www.dfa.gov.za)
