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    November 28, 2011

Polls Open in DRC Elections

   Violence and accusations of fraud marred the run-up to Monday's vote

   Scott Stearns | Kinshasa
   Photo: REUTERS
   A line of riot police advances against opposition UDPS supporters
   outside N'Djili airport in Democratic Republic of Congo's capital
   Kinshasa, November 26, 2011. (Reuters)

   Voting is under way in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where people
   are choosing a president and 500 members of the national assembly.
   Violence and accusations of fraud have marred the run-up to election
   day.
   Voters came out early in the capital, as most polling stations opened
   on time for just the second multi-party election since independence and
   the first organized entirely by Congolese.
   Poll workers taped up posters showing the 11 presidential candidates
   and moved large plastic ballot boxes into place, showing party
   representatives that they were empty before sealing them with plastic
   ties.
   It has been a contentious campaign, especially for the those
   challenging incumbent President Joseph Kabila.
   At least three people were killed and many more wounded Saturday when
   riot police fired bullets and tear gas at supporters of the leading
   opposition candidate Etienne Tshisekedi. He has already proclaimed
   himself president and says he will contest any outcome that does not
   show him winning this vote.
   Opposition candidate Vital Kamerhe says his campaign has evidence of
   fictitious polling stations meant to deceive voters and of ballots
   already marked for President Kabila.
   Electoral commission president Daniel Ngoy-Mulunda says those
   allegations have been investigated and have been found to be without
   merit.
   Ngoy-Mulunda is calling on the Congolese people to go and vote as that
   is their right. He says there are no fictitious polling stations or
   pre-marked ballots. He says the electoral commission has organized a
   vote that is credible, dignified and transparent.
   Vote counting begins as soon as polls close Monday, with final results
   to be announced before Kabila's current mandate expires December 6.

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