DR Congo’s provisional election results show lead for President Tshisekedi
Al Jazeera
Electoral authorities announce results of voting by diaspora in the US, Canada, South Africa, Belgium and France.
Democratic Republic of the Congo has begun to announce the results of general elections marred by chaotic organisation and credibility concerns.
Electoral authorities on Friday announced the results of voting by diaspora Congolese in South Africa, the United States, Canada, Belgium and France ahead of the release of the full outcome on Saturday.
The votes, which represent a small proportion of the electorate, showed President Felix Tshisekedi with a sizable lead over his opposition rivals. Voters also cast their ballots to choose the next crop of national and regional lawmakers, and local councillors.
The provisional results come after voting in the mineral-rich Central African nation was extended into Thursday after some polling stations failed to open to the public and some voters could not find their names on registers.
The unscheduled extension prompted fierce pushback from opposition candidates, some of whom labelled the move unconstitutional and called for a new election.
