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Doubt over DR Congo election date Doubt over DR Congo election date
(about 6 hours later)
The organisation of the second round of the Democratic Republic of Congo's landmark elections has been thrown into confusion after a Supreme Court ruling.The organisation of the second round of the Democratic Republic of Congo's landmark elections has been thrown into confusion after a Supreme Court ruling.
The court ruled that the initial date of date for the run-off, 29 October, broke the constitution. The court ruled that the initial date for the run-off, 29 October, broke the constitution.
The shock ruling came as the two candidates in the second round held a two-hour meeting to ease tension.The shock ruling came as the two candidates in the second round held a two-hour meeting to ease tension.
The announcement of the first round results led to days of gun battles in Kinshasa, which left 23 people dead.The announcement of the first round results led to days of gun battles in Kinshasa, which left 23 people dead.
The 30 July election was the first democratic poll to be held in the country since it gained independence in 1960 and follows the official end of a five-year conflict.The 30 July election was the first democratic poll to be held in the country since it gained independence in 1960 and follows the official end of a five-year conflict.
The United Nations is spending $1bn a year on its peacekeeping mission in DR Congo - the largest in the world.The United Nations is spending $1bn a year on its peacekeeping mission in DR Congo - the largest in the world.
'Long time''Long time'
The Supreme Court ruled that, according to the constitution, any second round must be held within 15 days of the announcement of the first round results, reports Reuters news agency. The Supreme Court ruled that, according to the constitution, any second round must be held within 15 days of the announcement of the first round results.
Definitive results have not yet been declared but could be announced any day now, meaning the second round would have to be brought forward.
However, the election commission says it will appeal against the ruling, citing logistical difficulties in organising polls at such short notice in a country two-thirds the size of Western Europe with very little infrastructure.However, the election commission says it will appeal against the ruling, citing logistical difficulties in organising polls at such short notice in a country two-thirds the size of Western Europe with very little infrastructure.
Joseph Kabila (l) faces Jean-Pierre Bemba (r) in October's run-off"We have to provide 60,000 electoral kits in nearly 50,000 polling stations, we have to print the ballot papers and distribute them around a vast territory. It all takes a long time," Independent Electoral Commission spokesman Dieudonne Mirimo told the AFP news agency.Joseph Kabila (l) faces Jean-Pierre Bemba (r) in October's run-off"We have to provide 60,000 electoral kits in nearly 50,000 polling stations, we have to print the ballot papers and distribute them around a vast territory. It all takes a long time," Independent Electoral Commission spokesman Dieudonne Mirimo told the AFP news agency.
Election rivals President Joseph Kabila and Jean-Pierre Bemba met at the presidential palace in the capital, Kinshasa.Election rivals President Joseph Kabila and Jean-Pierre Bemba met at the presidential palace in the capital, Kinshasa.
The talks were "very relaxed", Mr Kabila's spokesman Kudura Kasongo told AFP but no further details of the discussions have been released.The talks were "very relaxed", Mr Kabila's spokesman Kudura Kasongo told AFP but no further details of the discussions have been released.
There have been intense diplomatic efforts to bring the two men together.There have been intense diplomatic efforts to bring the two men together.
European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana and South African leader Thabo Mbeki have visited, appealing to them to settle their differences.European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana and South African leader Thabo Mbeki have visited, appealing to them to settle their differences.
Mr Bemba is a former rebel leader and retains his own personal security force.Mr Bemba is a former rebel leader and retains his own personal security force.
The presidential guard is widely regarded as Mr Kabila's personal force.The presidential guard is widely regarded as Mr Kabila's personal force.
In July's first-round of voting for a new president, Mr Kabila took 45% of the vote, just short of the 50% needed for victory, while Mr Bemba gained 20%.In July's first-round of voting for a new president, Mr Kabila took 45% of the vote, just short of the 50% needed for victory, while Mr Bemba gained 20%.
Mr Kabila won a landslide in the Swahili-speaking, war-ravaged east, where he is praised for bringing peace.Mr Kabila won a landslide in the Swahili-speaking, war-ravaged east, where he is praised for bringing peace.
However, many in the Lingala-speaking west doubt Mr Kabila's Congolese nationality and voted for Mr Bemba.However, many in the Lingala-speaking west doubt Mr Kabila's Congolese nationality and voted for Mr Bemba.
The polls are meant to put an end to a transition process established after five years of war that ended in 2003.The polls are meant to put an end to a transition process established after five years of war that ended in 2003.