Initial results from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s presidential poll were anticipated on Friday following a disorderly election process that spanned multiple days, labeled successful by authorities.
The mineral-rich yet impoverished central African nation conducted four simultaneous polls on Wednesday, including the election of the president, lawmakers for national and provincial assemblies, as well as local councillors.
Incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi sought a second term, facing competition from 18 opposition candidates, many of whom criticized the chaotic conditions witnessed during polling.
The election was marred by significant delays and administrative disarray, with certain polling stations unable to open on time or at all. To compensate, the country’s electoral commission, Ceni, extended voting in select areas until Thursday.
Ceni official Didi Manara emphasized that Thursday marked the definitive closing day for voting, extending operations until the last individual in queues had cast their votes. However, reports suggested that voting persisted on Friday, notably in remote regions where polling materials arrived late.
While Ceni claimed that nearly 97 percent of the country’s approximately 75,000 polling stations were operational, concerns lingered over the process’s integrity and efficiency.
President Tshisekedi is perceived as the frontrunner in the first-past-the-post presidential election, benefiting from a fragmented opposition. His main rivals include Nobel Peace Prize laureate Denis Mukwege, business magnate Moise Katumbi, and former oil executive Martin Fayulu, all of whom criticized the electoral disarray and cautioned against potential fraud.
Anticipation and tensions surged ahead of the release of initial presidential election results expected to be announced at a dedicated center in Kinshasa. With an electorate of around 44 million in a country of 100 million, and over 100,000 candidates vying for various positions, apprehensions loomed about potential post-result unrest.
The United States reiterated its call for transparent and fair elections, emphasizing a commitment to addressing irregularities in the electoral process. Amid the volatile history of authoritarian rule and conflict in the DRC, concerns heightened over potential escalations upon the announcement of results.
