The historic election in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where over 40 million cast their vote on Sunday was marred by delays, with some voters failing to cast their ballots.
Twenty-one candidates are contesting this year’s presidential election that had been delayed for two years.
The incumbent president, Joseph Kabila, who has been in power since 2001, voted from the central Gombe Institute polling station. Presidential candidates Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary and the opposition’s Felix Fayulu also casted their ballots at the same venue.
Shadary expressed his confidence to win the election and called for a peaceful election while Fayulu, the opposition presidential candidate, said the people are voting to end Kabila’s rule that has brought disgrace to the country.
Voters in the nation’s capital, Kinshasa, only managed to turn out after an early morning downpour. But delays at polling stations in other areas left many frustrated.
“My card shows that I am supposed to vote from here but I was told to go to the next station. My name is not here, not even at the other station. What is this you are doing to us?” said a voter.
Despite the organizational challenges, some were fortunate enough to vote.
“I cannot believe this. I have voted. I am happy to vote,” said Francis Nzawu, a Kinshasa resident.
“All has gone well for me. I had no trouble. The machine worked well,” said Nene Kisuhu, another Kinshasa resident.
The country’s electoral commission has said it will announce the election results on Jan 15.