THIS JUST IN: GDRC SET TO ANNOUNCE 2011 ELECTION

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001041 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV CG SUBJECT: THIS JUST IN: GDRC SET TO ANNOUNCE 2011 ELECTION DATES ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Senator Jean-Pierre LOLA KISANGA told PolOff today (November 27) representatives of the executive and legislative branches of government and the independent electoral commission (CEI) met Thursday, November 26 and agreed on local and national election dates. Municipal and local elections, which were originally planned for 2009, will be held on Saturday, February 13, 2011. National elections--including the presidential--remain on schedule for 2011 with balloting to take place Saturday, September 4. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Dr. Lola, a member of the senate leadership, said local elections would be co-financed by the GDRC and the international community, whereas the DRC would assume all costs of the national election. Independent daily Le Potential reported November 24 that local elections would cost $243 million, of which the CEI already had disbursed $123 million. According to the report confirmed by Lola, a native of Orientale Province, the GDRC would cover up to $31 million of the $120 million shortfall and MONUC pledged $80 million pending supplementary contributions by EU member states. ¶3. (SBU) Preconditions for the elections, according to CEI spokesperson Dieudonnee Mirimo, are to train over 10,000 electoral workers, identify over 2,000 registration and voting centers (e.g. schools),and to review the electoral lists. Mirimo said electoral preparations in Kinshasa are two-thirds complete; however, preparations in the other 10 provinces are behind due to a delay in receiving provincial lists from the Prime Minister's office. Local daily La Reference reported on November 24 that the CEI suspended operations due to the lack of lists. ¶4. (SBU) Comment. Agreement on election dates is a welcome development and suggests democratic intent by incumbent President Joseph Kabila. The democratic potential of these elections, however, is not assured due to a number of factors including the lack of a unified opposition party to contest legislative seats, as well as to the absence at this time of a visible national figure as a credible opponent to Kabila. End comment. GARVELINK