MPs cast doubt over Congo vote as polling stations hit by chaos

Opposition parties have questioned the legitimacy of yesterday’s high-stakes general election in the Democratic Republic of Congo after voting was marred by administrative chaos, delays, and closed polling stations.

- Kaamil Ahmed

Despite voting starting at 6 am, an electoral observer mission linked to churches said that by midday 31% of polling stations were still closed while 45% of voting machines in those that had opened had experienced problems.

The National Episcopal Conference of Congo and the Church of Christ in Congo observer mission also said some of its 25,000 observers were blocked from polling stations.

President Félix Tshisekedi, 60, who took office in 2019 and is running for a second five-year term, is considered the frontrunner to win in the single-round presidential vote.

About 44 million Congolese, in a nation of 111 million, are registered to vote. As well as the presidential election they are voting for lawmakers in national and provincial assemblies and local councillors.

More than 100,000 candidates are running for various positions, and while counting was due to begin as soon as polling stations closed, results are not expected to be announced for several days.