DR Congo National Assembly passes referendum organization law amid opposition boycott

Lawmakers in the Democratic Republic of Congo's National Assembly have approved a new bill governing the organization of referendums. The vote saw overwhelming support, with 348 out of 351 deputies present voting in favor of the legislation on Tuesday, June 9. The adoption occurred in the absence of opposition elected officials.

The new text establishes a framework for how referendums will be convened by the President, organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), and managed in terms of campaigns, vote counting, and dispute resolution. It also introduces the possibility of forming an expanded Constituent Assembly if a new constitution is proposed. This body could include not only national senators and deputies but also provincial deputies, governors, and municipal councilors.

However, the bill's passage was marked by a boycott from opposition parties. These groups had previously organized a "ghost town" protest on June 3 to demonstrate against any constitutional reforms. They have denounced the referendum law as a "constitutional coup" and called for its outright withdrawal.

Following its approval by the lower house, the proposed law will now move to the Senate for a second reading. If passed in the same terms, it will be sent to the President for promulgation. The bill was initiated by deputy Paul-Gaspard Ngondankoy.