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Cablegate: Drc Elections: Carter Center Concludes First-Round

VZCZCXRO4853
PP RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #1409 2511022
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 081022Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4745
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001409

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPKO CG ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: DRC ELECTIONS: CARTER CENTER CONCLUDES FIRST-ROUND
VOTE "CREDIBLE"

REF: KINSHASA 1220

1. (U) Summary: The Carter Center concluded in a September 1
statement that the DRC's July 30 presidential and legislative
elections were "credible," despite important procedural and
logistical flaws. While voting and the counting process were
generally successful, the Center noted certain irregularities
that undermined the transparency and credibility of the
process. Overall, however, the Center reported that election
workers acted professionally under difficult conditions, and
any potential problems with the voting process did not affect
the ultimate outcome of the first-round presidential results.
End summary.

2. (U) The Carter Center issued September 1 its second
post-election statement on the DRC's July 30 presidential and
legislative vote, concluding that the results for both
elections are "credible." The Carter Center stated that it
did not find evidence of widespread or systematic
manipulation of the elections, although a number of important
procedural flaws "weakened the transparency" of the process.
Most of the "irregularities," however, stemmed from "innocent
attempts" by election workers to cope with logistical
difficulties as they arose. The statement declared that the
results of the first-round presidential election are
"sufficiently clear-cut" that the overall outcome could not
"realistically be affected" by any of these shortcomings.

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3. (U) The Carter Center generally praised the work of the
Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) and its officials,
noting that polling station staff took their responsibilities
seriously and worked diligently under difficult conditions.
The Center went on to say that all involved in the
organization of the DRC's election can share in a genuine
sense of accomplishment. Serious problems were noted, though,
in the CEI's training of workers and its apparent lack of
planning for the collection of voting materials after the
election, particularly in Kinshasa. The statement said the
collection of results largely fell into disarray, raising
concerns about the chain of custody and possible manipulation
of ballots. Because of such breakdowns in procedures, the
Carter Center stated it cannot properly respond to
allegations that ballots may have been falsified after voting
ended.

4. (U) Referring to the August 20-22 violence in Kinshasa
after the announcement of provisional presidential results,
the Carter Center called on President Kabila and Vice
President Bemba to respect the verdict of the people during
the October 29 run-off election. The Center said both
candidates should support the democratic process to its
completion, but added that if steps are not taken to control
each side's respective armed factions, it fears that the
run-off election may spark "serious violence."

5. (U) Overall, the Carter Center determined that the
first-round vote was a "significant achievement," although
the shortcomings of the initial process will "make it more
difficult for the CEI, observers, and party witnesses to
prove that the election process was without significant
flaw." To ensure greater transparency for the next round, the
Carter Center recommended a series of remedies to be
implemented by the CEI before the October 29 vote. Among
their recommendations were the consolidation and completion
of voter lists well in advance of the next election, the
simplification of ballot-counting procedures, a realistic
plan for the collection and safeguarding of results, and
improved training for polling center staff.

6. (U) The Carter Center will continue to have some long-term
observers in the DRC to follow the electoral process in
advance of the October 29 election. Carter Center officials
in Kinshasa could not say as of September 1, however, how
many observers they would be able to field for the second
round.
MEECE

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