The interim government of the Democratic Republic of Congo announced elections and subsequently gave the Indepedent National Electoral Commission the mandate to prepare for the elections, which will consist of only a presidential election; the President is the head of the interim government and appoints his ministers. Given that there are eight provinces under the control of the interim government, including Kinshasa, 36 new Senators can be appointed by local institutions, in so far these have been restored. Used to war as the Congolese are, this chaos is not new to them, and most are happy enough to get a say in government.

Safety and money are the most important concerns of the Congolese, which means they would look out to candidates who can guarantee peace and work. The people voting are not adherents to a particular ideology, and perhaps it could be said that even tribal lines are less prominent than the most basic concerns of the people.

Thirty-seven political parties were allowed to participate, but only five have a noteworthy chance of their candidate becoming the President. These are:

Le Mouvement Social pour le Renouveau (MSR) or the Social Movement for Renewal led by Kosso Opoyo (1978) does not stand out ideologically. Generally not the most influential figures, Opoyo has managed to distinguish the MSR with his military background, although his general-persona is criticised by the opposition because Opoyo's career was not always under the government, and he has been accused of war crimes. (Best campaign when 1-3, third-fifth when even)

Le Nouveau Parti du People (NPP) or the New People's Party led by Maurice Mbadinga (1973) is a new name for the old party of Joseph Kabila. He fell out of favour during his terrible attempts at retaining power, which tainted the party name forever. Mbadinga takes a centre-left position, which is standard in the Congo. He has a background in law, served as a minor political official during the downfall of Kabila, but his Boma originleft him in the ideal position to rise up and reform the party. (Best campaign when 4-7, second to third when even)

L'Union pour la Démocratie et le Progrès Social (UDPS) or the Union for Democracy and Social Progress led by Gedo Hamefa (1968) is among the few active veterans of politics. Another centre-left party, his UDPS is inherit from anti-Kabila opposition groups whose core lies in an anti-corruption platform. While less confident in the public eye, Hamefa is known for his experience. He has no background in education and is known to be rather prejudiced and anti-scientific. (Best campaign when 8-11, third to fourth when even)

L'Union Néo-Nkrumaiste-Sankariste Congolaise (UNSC) or the Congolese Neo-Nkrumaist-Sankarist Union led by Henrique Mumba (1984) who is a charismatic fellow, fluent in seven languages including French, English and Portuguese, but seen as on the young side. He represents a Pan-Africanist party, but as he is not a member of the Permanent Council of Five, who oversee the organisation of the UNSC, Mumba, who studied physics in France, is regarded as a centrist candidate. (Best campaign when 12-15, second to third when uneven)

L'Union Nationale Générale Africaine (UNGA) or the African National General Union led by Desiré Kasa Saso (1977) are running a populist campaign. Criticised for allegedly promising golden mountains, the UNGA under Saso is the most right wing party on the ballot. He seeks to mediate the same problems as everybody else, but views foreign investment as the best solution. His free market, open economy approach is a novel idea in the traditionally leftist DRC. (Best campaign when 16-20, second to third when uneven)