Congolese voters have two new places where they can learn about their role in the historic presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled in June. IFES and NDI opened two Democracy Resource Centers in Goma and Mbuji Mayi last month, bringing the number of centers in the Democratic Republic of Congo up to six located throughout the country. The center openings come as campaigning gets underway in the DRC’s first election in 40 years.

More than 2,000 Congolese on average visit the centers each month. Visitors can use the centers’ libraries and access the Internet to learn about citizenship and the technical aspects of the democratic process. The centers also provide a neutral center for political discussion and information on human rights, governance, community development, rule of law, and current events.

IFES began the program that created the Democracy Resource Centers in 1998 to help community groups participate in the country’s transition period. The program’s end goal is to encourage citizens and community groups to get involved in the elections and raise their awareness of their civic rights and responsibilities.

“Civil society organizations need to be the watchdogs of the political process and continue to have a constructive contribution to the elections process,” said Gabrielle Bardall, IFES program coordinator for Central Africa.