Butembo-Beni, 10 December, 2023 / 9:50 pm (ACI Africa).
Bishop Melchisedec Sikuli Paluku of the Catholic Diocese of Butembo-Beni in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has called on Christian election observers in his Episcopal See to ensure “objectivity and sincerity” in their role.
Eligible voters in DRC are to participate in the election of their country’s President, 500 members of the National Assembly, members of the 26 Provincial Assemblies, and, for the first time under the new constitution, members of some 300 Municipal Councils during the December 20 polls.
Addressing members of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) and the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC) Election Observation Mission in Butembo-Beni Diocese, Bishop Paluku appealed for wisdom in their mission for the well-being of the Congolese people.
“Work with objectivity and sincerity, so as not to exercise your mission outside the values of the Catholic and Protestant churches,” the Congolese Catholic Bishop said on Tuesday, December 5 at the start of a training session for the CENCO-ECC election observers.
He added, “Overcome your preferences and put yourselves at the service of all the candidates and all the voters without distinction.”