Polls open in DR Congo amid delays, logistics issues

Locals and analysts have said the DRC vote will likely be extended past Wednesday, given the logistical challenges.

Voting has begun, after almost a three-hour delay, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) presidential election as authorities scrambled to finalise preparations in an election facing steep logistical and security challenges.

Some 44 million people — almost half the population — are expected to vote. But many, including several million displaced by conflict in the vast country’s east, could struggle to cast their ballots. The fighting has prevented 1.5 million people from registering to vote.

In the eastern DRC, people said they were not finding their names on voting lists.

“The voters displayed on lists at the polling station are fewer than those who are lining up. I can’t find my name on the list and this could cause scuffles here because I also want to vote,” said Jules Kambale at a polling station in Goma.

Waiting for polls to open amid the delay, people grew agitated and began arguing, particularly in the capital.