KIGALI, Rwanda

The Democratic Republic of Congo will hold the next presidential elections on Dec. 20, 2023, the country’s electoral commission announced on Saturday.

On the same day, the Congolese will elect their national and provincial legislators as well as local councilors, according to the electoral roadmap unveiled by Denis Kadima, head of the electoral commission.

The swearing-in of the elected president is scheduled for Jan. 20, 2024.

“The electoral campaigns for the presidential candidates, national and provincial deputies will take place from Nov. 19 to Dec. 18 next year. The electoral commission calls for the involvement of all stakeholders in the electoral process to ensure a smooth outcome,” said Kadima.

He indicated that persistent insecurity in some parts of the country would present a challenge to holding free, democratic and transparent elections.

Eastern Congo remains volatile due to insecurity posed by a myriad of rebel groups.

The commission is set to begin voter registration next month with more than 50 million Congolese expected to be registered.

Given the time constraint, the number of registration centers has been increased to about 29,000, an addition of more than 12,000 centers compared to the last revision of the electoral register in 2016-2017, according to the commission.

President Felix Tshisekedi came to power in January 2019, replacing Joseph Kabila in the first country’s peaceful handover of power after 18 years in office.