Voting has started in Democratic Republic of Congo where citizens are picking a new president and legislative representatives.
President Felix Tshisekedi is competing against 18 opposition challengers in the hope of a second term running the mineral-rich yet poverty-stricken nation.
Wednesday’s vote though has faced delays in several towns in Congo’s rebel-plagued east and in the capital Kinshasa.
Voting materials had not arrived at some polling stations and voter lists were not published.
“It is a total chaos,” said presidential candidate Martin Fayulu, runner up in the disputed 2018 presidential election.
Fayulu said that while the vote was well organised in the upmarket Gombe district in the capital where he voted, it was not the case in the rest of the country.
There are also opposition allegations of fraud, electoral violence, and logistical setbacks that could prevent many from voting.
“If all the people don’t vote in all the polling stations indicated by the CENI (national election commission), we won’t accept these elections,” Fayulu warned, adding that he would be at the forefront of the protest.
Polls are due to close at 1600 GMT.
About 44 million Congolese are registered to take part in the voting, which also includes regional ballots. Full provisional results are expected by Dec. 31.
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Source: Africafeeds.com
