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DRC ELECTION: Opposition raise alarm over delay in announcing poll result
The opposition in the Democratic Republic of Congo has raised an alarm over a delay in announcing poll results claiming it could allow the ruling party room to manipulate election totals.
Reports say the electoral commission had been scheduled to publish provisional results on Sunday, but it said on Thursday that could be delayed because counting centres are still waiting for 80 percent of local vote tallies.
In a related development, the US has called on Congo’s electoral body to ensure votes were accurately counted.
Washington also threatened to impose sanctions against those who undermined the process or threatened peace and stability in the country.
“We strongly urge the CENI to ensure that votes are counted in a transparent and open manner, with observers present, and that the results reported by CENI are accurate,” State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said.
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“Those who undermine the democratic process, threaten the peace, security or stability of the DRC, or benefit from corruption may find themselves not welcome in the United States and cut off from the U.S. financial system,” he said, referring to sanctions.
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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