DRC ELECTIONS: DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR PROVINCIAL

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000826 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPKO CG ELECTIONS SUBJECT: DRC ELECTIONS: DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR PROVINCIAL CANDIDATE REGISTRATION ¶1. (U) The Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) announced May 23 that it will extend until May 26 the registration period for candidates for provincial legislatures. According to the previously released electoral calendar, provincial registration was to have ended May 22 (after starting May 2). CEI spokesman Dieudonne Mirimo said that by May 22, 19,783 potential candidates had requested registration forms, but only 4,788 had officially registered for the 632 available seats. Consequently, Mirimo said several districts had yet to register any candidates, and thus the CEI decided to reopen registration from May 24 to May 26. After reviews by the DRC's appellate courts, the CEI is expected to announce the final list of provincial candidates by June 23. Upon the publication of this list, CEI President Abbe Apollinaire Malu Malu has said the CEI will announce the dates for the second round of elections -- which will include provincial as well as the second round of presidential balloting (if necessary). MEECE