The counting of the results of the presidential election organized on Sunday 21 March in Congo-Brazzaville began immediately after the closing of the polling stations; an organized voting without internet that makes the task difficult even for observers. Overall, the ballot paper did not experience any major incidents and did not mobilize massively.
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It was in a sufficiently bright room in the town hall of Poto-Poto that the officials from the four polling stations installed at this location conducted the counting. Observation: here as everywhere else, the delegates from the majority candidate were present, those from a few other candidates were missing.
“We only had three out of seven delegates; the candidate for the majority of the President, Kolélas and Kignoumbi Kia Mboungou. In any case, they were only three out of seven, ”said an office manager on condition of anonymity.
As in 2016, the vote was marked by the shutdown of the Internet, making it difficult for journalists and even observers. The African Union has deployed about 20 instead of 60 due to coronavirus.
“We have deployed our observers in more than six zones,” explained their Head of Mission Dileita Mohamed. And in each zone, everyone has set up a few offices inside. Unfortunately, we have no influence in these places due to the internet cut-off. Those who stayed in the capital were able to get them, and we were able to talk on the phone ”.
Some dysfunctions have been observed here and there: the lack of, for example, the names of certain voters on the lists while they had their cards.
The NGO Internet without Borders “strongly condemned” the cutbacks of the Internet observed since Saturday night in Congo-Brazzaville on the day he voted in the presidential election. For the NGO, this recurring practice undermines not only the transparency of the vote, but the confidence of voters in the process and therefore opens the voice to disputes.
This overshadows undemocratic practices and vague intentions about the electoral process. It causes a sense of manipulation, theft and lack of transparency in the election.
