Democratic Republic of Congo authorities have assured the public that internet access will remain uninterrupted during Wednesday’s elections, addressing concerns of potential blackouts and vote manipulation expressed by social media users.
Interior Minister Peter Kazadi, in a press conference on Tuesday, clarified that there is no intention to cut off internet access, emphasizing that the country is not in a state of war or popular uprising. He also issued a warning that individuals attempting to disrupt the electoral process would face arrest.
In tandem with these assurances, aviation authorities announced the closure of land and sea borders for 24 hours in preparation for the general election. The General Directorate of Migration specified that the borders would be closed from Wednesday morning until 11:59 pm local time on the same day. While airspace will be restricted for unauthorized local flights, international flights will continue as scheduled, according to the directorate’s statement.
Over 40 million eligible voters are set to participate in Wednesday’s elections, selecting a president from a pool of 19 candidates, including the incumbent Felix Tshisekedi. The election also encompasses the voting for lawmakers and municipal representatives.
