The African Union has given its verdict on the recently held general elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Election observers from the continental body say the polls were relatively well managed. The African Union electoral observation mission said voting was also smooth to a large extent.
There were however poor ratings for how late polls opened at many polling stations across the country.
Voters were also said to have had insufficient education about the electronic voting machines used for the first time in the elections.
In a statement from the AU it said “In general, the polls took place in a calm and peaceful atmosphere. Nevertheless, isolated incidents and some shortcomings enamelled the conduct of the voting operations.”
“Losses in human lives have been deplored in the territory of Walungu (South Kivu),” the statement added.
Last month’s general elections were however characterized by pockets of violence in parts of the country. Opposition politicians allege of irregularities in the process.
Sunday’s presidential election is expected to give the country the chance to have a new President who will take over from Joseph Kabila.
Results from the elections continue to be collated and tallied with final results due to be announced on January 15. The new president will be sworn in on January 18.
The elections took place without President Joseph Kabila. President Kabila took over as president from his father Laurent who was assassinated in 2001.
Since Monday the government has shutdown internet and SMS services in an attempt to stop speculation about election results.
There have been calls for the restoration of internet and SMS services. But a senior adviser to President Joseph Kabila, Barnabe Kikaya bin Karubi says restoration can only be on January 6 when collation of results are done.
Source: Africafeeds.com
