Cablegate: Campaign Opens for Dr Congo's Provincial Assembly

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PP RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #1521 2721148
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 291148Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4882
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 001521

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM CG ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: CAMPAIGN OPENS FOR DR CONGO'S PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY
ELECTIONS

1. (U) Campaigning officially began at midnight September 28
for the DRC's provincial assembly elections. The 11
assemblies constitute a new level of government for the DRC,
and are granted considerable authority under its new
constitution. The new DRC constitution stipulates that the
central government return 40 percent of national revenues to
the provinces to utilize as they see fit.

2. (U) The assemblies will be responsible for day-to-day
provincial administration, including creation of provincial
development plans, managing public debt and finances,
organizing and controlling cross-border commerce, and
implementation of mining programs, among other
responsibilities. They will also element members of the
national Senate as well as provincial governors and
vice-governors.

3. (U) The campaign will run for 30 days, ending at midnight
on October 27. According to the Independent Electoral
Commission (CEI), a total of 13,467 candidates are running
for the 632 seats throughout the country. Transitional
President Joseph Kabila's People's Party for Reconstruction
and Democracy (PPRD) is fielding the most candidates with
620, although 678 candidates are registered as independents.
Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba's Movement for the
Liberation of Congo (MLC) and Vice President Azarias
Ruberwa's Rally for Congolese Democracy (RCD) have put
forward 588 and 586 candidates, respectively.

4. (U) Provisional results are expected by December 5.
According to the new constitution, each of the 11 assemblies
will be installed 15 days after the publication of
provisional results anticipated on December 20. Final results
will be announced in mid-February, after appellate courts
have ruled on any challenges. An additional 58
representatives will be appointed to the assemblies from
among traditional local leaders.

5. (U) The assemblies are scheduled to select candidates to
fill the 108-seat Senate on December 29, followed by election
of the 11 governors and 11 vice-governors in January 16.

6. (U) Comment: Provincial assembly elections remain for now
overshadowed by the presidential run-off, which will also be
held October 29. Only a handful of banners have been hung
along the boulevards of Kinshasa's central business district.
End comment.
MEECE

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