DRC ELECTION: Internet connection cut for second day as citizens nervously await poll results

For the second day running, internet and SMS services have been cut off by authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo as the country nervously awaits results from the weekend’s presidential election marred by chaos.

According to Barnabe Kikaya bin Karubi, a senior adviser to President Joseph Kabila, internet and SMS services were cut to preserve public order after “fictitious results” began circulating on social media.

“That could lead us straight toward chaos,” Kikaya told Reuters, adding the connections would remain cut until the publication of complete results on Jan. 6.

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There is growing tension in the DRC after the country’s ruling coalition and opposition both claimed victory in the just concluded election.

Reports say the opposition said on Monday it expected one of its candidates to win the presidential election based on early vote tallies, but the ruling coalition said it was confident its candidate had won the contest.

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