On Thursday, the voting and counting centers that did not open on Wednesday were opened from 06:00 to 17:00 hours, local time, which according to the CENI’s statement is within the provisions of the law and responds to the principle of equal rights that all citizens must enjoy without distinction.

It also clarified that the schools that were open and operational on December 20 are not affected by this measure.

The CENI recognized the delay in the distribution of electoral materials and equipment, which caused the late opening of some voting stations, which is why they ordered the extension of hours on Wednesday and the exceptional opening on Thursday.

However, five of all 19 presidential candidates disagreed with that decision and issued a statement demanding the reorganization of the legislative elections in the DRC and opposing any extension of the vote counting, asserting that it is constitutionally and legally impossible for the CENI to make such a decision.

For that reason, they called on the Congolese people, the Government, the Southern African Development Community, the African Union and the international community to demand the organization of new elections under conditions that guarantee the equality of all contenders.

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