The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) could plunge into violence and chaos if the public perceived the vote, held on December 30, has been rigged, many Congolese fear. Police took up positions along DR Congo’s capital Kinshasa’s main boulevard and at the electoral commission’s headquarters. The electoral commission (CENI) is expected to announce the result of the election, the first democratic transfer of power during Congo’s 59 years of independence, at 10pm GMT (11pm local time) on Wednesday.
Preliminary results were scheduled to be announced on January 6 and the final results on January 15, but the process was postponed due to delays tallying the vote.
On Tuesday CENI said it had held a series of “evaluation meetings and deliberations”, after which it would “proceed to the publication of provisional results from the presidential election”.
Pre-election polls gave businessman Martin Fayulu a healthy lead.
However, his supporters believe President Joseph Kabila may be planning to rig the results to favour his hand-picked candidate and former interior minister, Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, or alternatively to forge a power-sharing pact with Felix Tshisekedi, head of the largest opposition party.
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But polls conducted ahead of the vote clearly stated Mr Shadary was following both Mr Tshisekedi and Mr Fayulu in the race.
Some Congo’s voters are said to be ready to fight to see who they believe is the real winner of the election, Mr Fayulu, in power.
Augustin Bujiriri, a 25-year-old student in the eastern city of Goma, told Reuters: “Everyone voted against the government in place.
“We are preparing fully to demand victory if it is stolen from us.”
Other Congoleses fear a widespread perception of vote fraud could spark a cycle of unrest similar to the ones seen after the elections in 2006 and 2011.
Kinshasa resident Ohn Kabamba said: “We don’t want people to die when they announce the results, blood to be spilled.
“We are fed up, we are tired and we are waiting for a peaceful announcement which will allow us to rejoice rather than cry.”
Another Kinshasa resident, Abraham Tumba, said: “If the CENI announces the true results of the ballot boxes it will be calm but if not, I don’t know what will happen.”
Domestic election observers said they witnessed serious irregularities as election day unfolded and during vote tallying.
But a regional observer mission said the election went “relatively well”.
The Roman Catholic Church helped monitor the poll and has worked behind the scene to secure the transfer of power will take place in the most peaceful way possible.
Mr Kabila will step down at the end of this month after leading the country for 18 years despite his mandate had officially finished two years ago.