KINSHASA, SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 (CISA)-Fr Donatien Nshole, Secretary General of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) has urged parliamentarians in the country to commit to serving the Congolese people by carrying electoral law reforms and enacting laws that meet the aspirations of the people.
“Put yourselves always at the service of the people who have opted for change; usefully manage your time to pass laws that promote democracy rather than partisan interests. In this perspective, electoral law reform with the view to depoliticising CENI (the Independent National Electoral Commission) is more than needed,” he said reported Vatican News on September 22.
Following the resumption of parliament sittings in the country, Fr Nshole urged the legislatures to enact fair laws that promote credible elections and ensure transparent oversight of the execution of elections.
“Be sensitive to the sorrows, sufferings and desires of the population … respect the regulatory provisions allowing the opposition to organise, and listen to the power of the people in order for you to initiate consensual reforms necessary for the consolidation of democracy,” said Fr Nshole.
He cautioned the party with the majority in parliament against abusing its numerical superiority to pass laws that are not favourable for the progress of democracy in the country.
“A parliamentary majority, however legal it may be, loses its legitimacy when it is disconnected from the interests and well-being of the people,” he said,
Fr Nshole appealed to citizens to remain united and vigilant to “block the path of any majority or minority political party who might want to take our country and our future hostage by political deception.”
