Brussels, 02/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - The day after the preliminary statement by the Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) of the EU in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the EU congratulated the Congolese people for their determination to exercise their fundamental political rights and their very strong turnout during the presidential and legislative elections of 28 November. It condemned, however, the serious incidents that occurred during voting which were an ugly stain on a campaign that was otherwise generally peaceful. In a joint statement with Andris Piebalgs, Development Commissioner, published on 2 December, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton calls on all Congolese, and especially all political officials, for calm, dialogue and appeasement, and for the provisional results to be awaited on 6 December. As vote counting and the compilation of results continues, Ashton and Piebalgs both expect every necessary measure to be taken to ensure transparency in this crucial part of the electoral process in respect of rules established and with the impartiality required. They state that any challenge raised should be done so through the appropriate legal means.
The EOM of the EU will continue its work until 14 January. In Kinshasa, during the presentation of the preliminary statement, MEP Mariya Nedelcheva, who is chief observer, said that logistic difficulties have prevented the distribution of material in all voting centres and offices while the lack of communication has weighed heavily on the organisation of the ballot. According to Andres Perello Rodriguez (S&D, Spain), who heads the Parliament delegation within the EOM, there was a flagrant imbalance in the resources of candidates and in their access to media coverage. The final report on all observations made will be published once the final results of the legislative elections have been published. (AN/transl.jl)