A senior UN official said Thursday that major progress has been made in the preparations for the upcoming elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but "conditions for a level playing field are not yet in place."

"While significant progress has been made to respect the stages of the calendar process, the electoral process continues to suffer from suspicion and mistrust between the majority and the opposition, and, between the opposition and the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI)," Leila Zerrougui, the UN Special Representative for the country and head of the Stabilization Mission, MONUSCO, told the Security Council in a briefing.

She noted that the preparations have reached an important turning point with the opening, on Wednesday, of candidate reception offices for presidential and legislative elections, due to take place on Dec. 23 this year.

However, the opposition has expressed multiple grievances, she added, including over voting machinery and electoral records.

"I am however encouraged to note that, in the face of disagreements highlighted above, and against the backdrop of immense logistical and financial challenges, all major political parties were able to successfully enrol candidates for provincial legislative elections," she said.

After a slow start, more than 18,000 candidates for office registered, in order to contest 715 seats, according to UN News.

Although the final tally is yet to be published, initial indications suggest that women make up less than 12 percent of all registered candidates, said the most senior UN official based in the DRC, urging political parties to ensure greater female representation and participation in forthcoming elections.

Zerrougui said she remains concerned by violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms that continue to impact negatively on democratic space as some peaceful demonstrations are suppressed.

She also said that civil society actors and political opponents continue to be arbitrarily arrested and media workers threatened.

She noted with concern that personnel of the UN Mission (MONUSCO) is increasingly targeted, and that in the months ahead, the UN Mission will operate in an increasingly tense environment, faced with high expectations but fewer resources.

"Thus, conditions for a level playing field are not yet in place, and without progress on these fronts, the credibility and inclusive of upcoming elections may be at risk," she warned.

"The Democratic Republic of Congo is at the crossroads. That's the reason for which I appeal to all stakeholder to seize this opportunity to allow for inclusive, transparent and credible elections on 23 December to provide a more stable future for the DRC, Congolese women and Congolese," she concluded.