DRC poll 'surprisingly peaceful'
2006-07-30 22:17
Kinshasa - High voter turnout was reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo's first free elections, as violence in the troubled country was largely avoided on Sunday.
The United Nations Mission in Congo (MONUC) described as "surprisingly peaceful" the polling in which more than 25 million voters were called to elect a new president and parliament.
The only violence was reported in Kasai Oriental province, as the country came to the end of a three-year transitional period after a bloody five-year civil war ended in 2003, leaving some three million people dead and involving the armies of seven African nations.
Seven polling stations were set ablaze in Kasai Oriental province, said Election Commissioner Apollinaire Malu Malu. There were no reports of deaths.
On Saturday, in the mining city of Mbuji Mayi in the same province, two automobiles belonging to the election commission were also set on fire.
The country's capital Kinshasa in the far west was reportedly calm.
MONUC reported that none of its 17 000 troops needed to be deployed, while the 2 000-strong European mission (EUFOR) military contingent also had a quiet day.
Initial reports spoke of between 50% to 90% electoral turnout.
The electoral commission expects to have the first results in three weeks.
"This is an historic moment for us. I am very moved," said 46- year-old Rose Muderwa. "It is a turning point. Now we can be proud of being Congolese once again."
In one of the first reactions to the election, the government of former colonial power Belgium expressed its congratulations on the so-far successful election, calling it a "historic, free and democratic poll". - Sapa-dpa
- SAPA