As Guinea pushes forward with its overseas census under the National Administrative Census Program for Civil Status (PN-RAVEC), Guinean citizens in Germany are voicing growing frustration over serious logistical and organizational failings at registration sites.
In Dortmund, one of the designated registration hubs for Guineans living abroad, hundreds of citizens flocked to the site with hopes of fulfilling their civic duty—only to face long delays, overcrowding, and limited resources.
Many say the experience has undermined their confidence in the fairness and accessibility of the process.
Among those affected is Mrs.
Touré, born Kadiatou Diallo, who recounted a grueling ordeal to register on June 20.
“This morning, I went to Dortmund, Germany, to register as part of the electoral process.
I left my daughter, barely one year old, at 4 a.m. to fulfill my civic duty.
After an hour’s journey, I arrived there full of hope and determination,” she said.
Her optimism soon turned to despair as she waited all day in a crowded and slow-moving line.
“What I discovered on the ground was simply deplorable.
It wasn’t until around 6 p.m. that I was finally able to register.
There are only two machines available for the entire Guinean community living in Germany.
Yet, more than 300 people were present today, hoping to be registered,” she lamented.
On-site officials confirmed that only 150 people can be processed per day, a figure far below what is needed to accommodate the estimated thousands of Guineans living in Germany.
“At this rate, it is almost impossible to count even 1% of the Guinean community living in this country,” Touré warned.
Calling on authorities in Conakry to act swiftly, she urged for expanded registration days and improved capacity.
“It is urgent to increase the number of days devoted to the census, and even to strengthen material and human resources, in order to enable all citizens to fulfill this essential duty.
We are all proud to be Guineans.
But we must also have the concrete means to participate in the democratic life of our country.”
Her plea is echoed by many across the Guinean diaspora in Europe and Africa, where similar dysfunctions have reportedly plagued the registration process.
Initially set to conclude on June 20, the PN-RAVEC campaign was extended by five days to June 25 in an attempt to address growing complaints and ensure broader participation.
For Guineans abroad, the hope now is that their voices will not only be counted at the ballot box—but heard before then.
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