SA: DRC elections credible
2006-08-03 23:15
Johannesburg - The elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were conducted in a peaceful, democratic and credible manner, said the SA observer mission on Thursday.
Almost all voting stations opened on time on election day.
Main problems included lack of electricity and late delivery of election material.
In general, the observer mission found voting proceeded smoothly in the presence of party agents, national and international election observers.
The 128-member team, led by deputy defence minister Mluleki George, was made up of MPs, government officials, religious groups and civil society organisations.
It released its interim report on Thursday after observing all phases of the elections since July 19.
The report said election day was marked by an atmosphere of calm, with a sense of excitement among voters who stood patiently in queues to cast their votes.
Elections proceeded peacefully
It, however, regretted the loss of lives during the run-up to the elections.
The report read: "While this was tragic, the election campaigns, in general, proceeded peacefully and voters were not deterred from going to voting stations on election day."
Observers found that under very difficult conditions, logistical challenges and limited resources, staff members of the independent electoral commission (IEC) showed a high degree of professionalism, independence and fairness on election day.
The elections were only the second in the DRC's history.
270 parties registered for polls
Since independence the country has had more than forty years of dictatorship and subsequent civil war, which left close to four million people dead.
About 270 parties registered for elections.
There were 33 presidential candidates and 9 632 candidates for the 500-seat national assembly.
With only four female presidential candidates, the observer mission said political parties did not adhere to the stipulated equal representation of men and women in their nomination of candidates.
The mission found the election campaign was conducted in a climate free of fear of repression of different views in the media.
Rallies well attended
"Political candidates were able to conduct their election campaigns.
"Political rallies were well attended and, in most cases, went without incident."
The mission said candidates and the electorate overall showed high levels of political tolerance.
There was evidence of an effective voter education campaign.
A final report, including the counting and processing of election results would be released at a later stage.
- SAPA