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Congo vote begins amid problems Counting begins in Congo election
(about 14 hours later)
Polling stations have opened in the Republic of Congo for the first round of parliamentary elections. Counting has begun in the Republic of Congo after a day of voting in the first round of parliamentary elections.
Around two million people are entitled to vote but many people have not received their voting cards. Early indications are that the turnout was low, with the electoral commission saying mistakes had been made.
There are also widespread reports of errors on the electoral roll, with opposition parties crying foul. The commission says it will take at least a week before the results of this election are known.
Around 40 parties are boycotting the election, saying it is aimed at shoring up President Denis Sassou, who has ruled the state for 23 years. Some 40 parties boycotted the poll, saying it was aimed at shoring up President Denis Sassou-Nguesso, who has ruled the state for 23 years.
Those taking part cite problems with the distribution of electoral cards, mistakes on the electoral roll, and an electoral commission appointed by presidential decree. 'Incompetence'
Cynicism In a short press conference in Brazzaville after casting his vote, Mr Sassou-Nguesso warned people against prejudging the election before the results were published.
Henri Bouka is the head of the electoral commission and says there have been some problems. What is clear is that many people were unable to vote because they had not received their electoral cards or because they were not on the electoral roll.
"We've done all we can to make sure the vote happens in a transparent and regular manner, and so that the result that comes out of the ballot box is really an expression of what people think," he said. In the remote northern town of Impfondo, observers said some voting stations could not open because they had neither electoral rolls nor ballot papers.
"It's true that in our commission there have been some weaknesses, but we've taken all the necessary steps to make sure all Congolese who are on the electoral lists can vote." Several people produced electoral cards accidentally printed for children and many - including the president - had their birthdays incorrectly printed on the electoral roll.
The government says it hopes the election will be the most peaceful since the former Marxist one-party state introduced its version of democracy 15 years ago. Opposition parties campaigned for the vote to be delayed.
But it seems likely that a large number of Congolese will not be going out to vote. In at least one constituency, Mossendjo in the western province of Niari, candidates and election officials called off the ballot until all the materials are in place, probably in a few days time.
There is widespread cynicism about the behaviour of the country's politicians. "We can talk about incompetence, but we can also talk about a deliberate attempt not to organise good elections," said Roger Owoko, the head of Congo's OCDH human rights organisation, which has been monitoring the elections.
Congo is sub-Saharan Africa's sixth largest oil producer, but two thirds of the population live in dire poverty. "We can't imagine that with the knowledge we have of organising elections, that we make even worse mistakes than at the last election in 2002."
Analysts say they expect candidates loyal to the president to maintain their control of the national assembly.
Those candidates who have not gained a majority of the votes cast in their constituencies will face a second round run-off in a month's time.