The opposition in Congo-Kinshasa is raising its voice after reports that voting was still underway on Saturday, three days after the official election day, AFP reports.
The election has been marred by delays and bureaucratic chaos, including problems getting ballots to remote locations in the vast country. Some polling stations could therefore not open on election day itself.
18 opposition candidates are challenging incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi for power. Among them is the Nobel laureate Denis Mukwege, who during the day published an open letter together with four other candidates, in which they describe the election as a "scam".
"We will protest against all irregularities witnessed during the election", they wrote, and announced that a protest will be organized in the capital Kinshasa during the next week.
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The outside world calls for calm: "Express your concerns peacefully"
13 European embassies in Congo-Kinshasa are calling for calm after the chaotic election in the country, Reuters reports.
- We urge everyone, especially political actors, candidates and their supporters, to let the process unfold, and express their concerns in a peaceful way, they say in a statement.
The official election day on Wednesday turned bloody, with at least 19 people killed in election-related violence. In addition, voting has been delayed in several parts of the country, prompting opposition leaders to question the credibility of the election and call for protests.
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