DR Congo: Incumbent Felix Tshisekedi re-elected in controversial poll

President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been re-elected for a second term after receiving more than 73% of the vote in a December 20 election.

The country’s election commission, CENI, announced on Sunday, barely 24 hours after it pledged its commitment to release the final results of the contested presidential poll.

The announcement of the results comes at a time when the opposition intensified their concerns over how the poll was conducted.

Logistical difficulties, an extension of election day, and a non-transparent vote count have fueled a controversy that threatens to further destabilize the world’s leading producer of cobalt and other valuable industrial metals.

Announcing the results in the capital, Kinshasa, Denis Kadima, head of CENI, declared that the incumbent leader, Felix Tshisekedi had received more than 13 million out of over 18 million valid votes, adding that the turnout was more than 43%.

While reacting to the outcome of the poll, President Tshisekedi commended his supporters for their unwavering dedication while promising to deliver life-changing programmes in his second term.

The opposition has 48 hours to contest the outcome of the results at the post-election tribunal.

The leading opposition figure, Moise Katumbi, who came in second with 18%, downplayed his will to challenge the results, citing an alleged lack of independence of state institutions.

Opposition parties have also vowed to rally against the outcome of the election while calling for a rerun.