Disagreement between the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the Union pour la Démocratie et le Progrès Social (UDPS) over reopening polling stations continues fuelling debates as reported in today's local press.

Trial of strength between IEC and UDPS is further intensifying, highlights LA REFERENCE PLUS, indicating, Etienne Tshisekedi is cornered by . "It is out of the question to reopen identification and registration centres for UDPS members as requested by UDPS leader, Etienne Tshisekedi whose members will be obliged to register either in Bandundu or Equateur provinces. USA has thus punished UDPS, a major political opposition party whose leader decided last Sunday to reintegrate the electoral process," writes the paper. USA position was conveyed by American ambassador, Roger Meece in a press conference, reports the paper, further indicating, Mr. Meece hailed UDPS decision to reintegrate the electoral process. However, in regard to UDPS request to have registrations centres reopened for its members, echoes LA REFERENCE PLUS, ambassador Meece declared, "the request is legitimate, the same goes for IEC's refusal in so far as the electoral calendar is tight; it is therefore important for IEC to attend to the need for holding the elections by 30 June."

Time is running out, "the definite electoral list must be prepared in order to have the elections on time," declared ambassador Meece, echoed by L'AVENIR which refers to the statement as "superficial." says: IEC must abide by the electoral calendar, says which regrets that "CIAT did not consult with its partners, notably the CIAT, prior to responding to UDPS."

"The electoral calendar is too tight; therefore urges immediate adoption of the electoral law to meet all the deadlines conducive to the holding of the elections on time," highlights the paper. USA calls on urgent adoption of the electoral law, headlines L'OBSERVATEUR. "The main outlines of the law are already known, the rest of the process is contingent upon the adoption of the electoral law. There is therefore need for moving forward to meet the deadlines for the electoral process," Ambassador Meece said.

LE PHARE, for its part, says "Millions of Congolese are excluded from the electoral process, alluding to the 3 million Congolese of the 28 million estimated voters who did not register. It accuses IEC for banning millions Congolese living in DRC or abroad from voting "by replying negatively to Etienne Tshisekedi's letter." As a result of "the selective electoral process, several DRC administrative entities will see their residents banned from choosing their future leaders." The paper therefore fears "frustrations" and "protests from those who have been excluded from the polls." "In an attempt to punish UDPS (...) the Independent Electoral Commission has set the scene for a conflictual post-electoral period," says the paper, calling on IEC to reconsider its decision "when it is not late yet, and explore all the venues/possibilities to include the millions compatriots who want nothing but to exercise their rights to vote." A peaceful end of the transition depends on this, concludes the paper.

"To enable UDPS to reintegrate the process and avoid frustrations and protests, IEC must reopen the registration centres," said the Vice-president for Political, Defense and Security Affairs, Azarias Ruberwa, currently visiting
Brussels.

Under the headline IEC for Implosion, LE PHARE calls into question this institution's neutrality and refers to its attitude as "cavalier." LE PHARE further describes IEC's reply to UDPS as "irresponsible in so far as it goes against Congolese people's expectations." IEC would certainly like "to lead the country to a total chaos" to meet and 's desire whose strategies aim to "perpetuate political instability in the DRC." The paper wonders what would be the reaction of the millions "disillusioned and disenchanted Congolese to see those who represent their interest be unjustly excluded from the electoral process," alluding to the 15 million Congolese people who responded positively to the appeal for boycott launched by UDPS.