Counting of ballots commences in DR Congo

Counting of ballots has commenced in the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa, in a general election marred by delays and allegations of irregularities.

Voting has been extended to a second day in some parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is happening for the first time since 2006.

The BBC quoted Patricia Nseya, the rapporteur of the Electoral Commission to have said “This Thursday, voters can continue to cast their ballots in polling stations which didn’t open on Wednesday,”.

There are more than 75,000 polling stations across the country.

The logistical problems at this year’s vote are not yet clear.

President Tshisekedi has been tipped to win the Presidential election after spending five years in office.

The main talking points among the candidates are unemployment and insecurity, closely followed by the state of the country’s roads and rising prices.

About 40 million citizens are eligible to vote in the election.

The United Nations had earlier called for peaceful and inclusive polls that will consolidate the country’s democratic institutions and put it on the path of economic prosperity.”

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres further “ calls on the authorities of the DRC, political leaders, civil society, and the Commission Electorale Nationale Independante (CENI) to ensure that all eligible voters have access to the polling stations and cast their ballots freely, without fear of intimidation or political persecution.”