DRC's IEC ready for elections
2006-07-21 08:28
Kinshasa - The Democratic Republic of Congo's electoral commission is ready for the country's upcoming elections on July 30, says the South African observer mission.
The chairperson of the DRC's IEC, Reverend Apollonaire Malumalu, said they were satisfied with the security arrangements for the elections. He said all voting material, including ballot papers, had been received and was ready for use.
A total of 4 000 national observers, more than 1 500 international observers and more than 70 international journalists were already in the country to cover the elections.
Addressing the media, Malumalu paid special tribute to President Thabo Mbeki and the SA government for what he described as "staying the course in the DRC despite enormous odds".
He also paid special tribute to Dr Brigalia Bam and her team for supporting the DRC IEC's preparations for the elections.
Malumalu welcomed the SA observer mission, under the leadership of deputy defence minister Mluleki George, and expressed gratitude to the country for accepting the invitation to observe the elections.
- SAPA