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Observers praise DR Congo's poll Observers praise DR Congo's poll
(4 days later)
Observers at the Democratic Republic of Congo's landmark presidential run-off have generally praised its organisation, despite some disruptions.Observers at the Democratic Republic of Congo's landmark presidential run-off have generally praised its organisation, despite some disruptions.
A US spokesman said Sunday's poll was "light years ahead of anything" previously seen in DR Congo.A US spokesman said Sunday's poll was "light years ahead of anything" previously seen in DR Congo.
The vote is being rerun in the north-east town of Bumba, where polling stations were burnt, amid fraud claims.The vote is being rerun in the north-east town of Bumba, where polling stations were burnt, amid fraud claims.
The first unofficial results say President Joseph Kabila and ex-rebel Jean-Pierre Bemba are neck and neck.The first unofficial results say President Joseph Kabila and ex-rebel Jean-Pierre Bemba are neck and neck.
HAVE YOUR SAY I think this election will bring peace to neighbouring countries Patrick, Uganda Send us your comments The BBC's Arnaud Zajtman in the capital, Kinshasa, says the mood is tense, with European Union troops patrolling the streets and helicopters flying overhead.HAVE YOUR SAY I think this election will bring peace to neighbouring countries Patrick, Uganda Send us your comments The BBC's Arnaud Zajtman in the capital, Kinshasa, says the mood is tense, with European Union troops patrolling the streets and helicopters flying overhead.
The elections are supposed to draw a line under DR Congo's five-year war, which led to an estimated four million deaths and drew in the armies of at least six other African countries.The elections are supposed to draw a line under DR Congo's five-year war, which led to an estimated four million deaths and drew in the armies of at least six other African countries.
Well organisedWell organised
Former Mozambique President Joachim Chisano said the electoral "process had been well organised".Former Mozambique President Joachim Chisano said the electoral "process had been well organised".
Former Canadian prime minister and head of the US-based Carter Center's observing team Joe Clark said: "There does not appear to be a trend of either intimidation or violence. One could almost say the opposite."Former Canadian prime minister and head of the US-based Carter Center's observing team Joe Clark said: "There does not appear to be a trend of either intimidation or violence. One could almost say the opposite."
Voting in pictures Profile: Jean-Pierre Bemba Profile: President Kabila But at least one person was killed on polling day when police opened fire on Mr Bemba's supporters in Bumba, when they rioted after saying they had uncovered attempts to stuff the ballot boxes.Voting in pictures Profile: Jean-Pierre Bemba Profile: President Kabila But at least one person was killed on polling day when police opened fire on Mr Bemba's supporters in Bumba, when they rioted after saying they had uncovered attempts to stuff the ballot boxes.
The AP news agency reports that voting began in Bumba around midday on Tuesday, after new voting materials were flown in.The AP news agency reports that voting began in Bumba around midday on Tuesday, after new voting materials were flown in.
The elections are to be held again on Wednesday in Fataki in Ituri district, where two election workers were shot dead on Monday by a drunken soldier, again sparking riots, in which 43 polling stations were destroyed.The elections are to be held again on Wednesday in Fataki in Ituri district, where two election workers were shot dead on Monday by a drunken soldier, again sparking riots, in which 43 polling stations were destroyed.
The UN's Radio Okapi reports that the soldier responsible, Sergeant Mamale Innocent, has been sentenced to death for murder.The UN's Radio Okapi reports that the soldier responsible, Sergeant Mamale Innocent, has been sentenced to death for murder.
Regional divideRegional divide
Results are being posted outside each of the vast country's 50,000 polling stations but the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) has until 19 November to announce the winner of the poll.Results are being posted outside each of the vast country's 50,000 polling stations but the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) has until 19 November to announce the winner of the poll.
Observers have compiled results from less than 5% of the polling stations and say there is little to choose between the two candidates.Observers have compiled results from less than 5% of the polling stations and say there is little to choose between the two candidates.
FIRST ROUND RESULTS DR CONGO WAR 1998 - 2002 4m dead At least 8 armies, many rebel groups 2003: Rebels join unity government East remains unstable 17,000 UN peacekeepers These unofficial results show a similar trend to the first round, with Mr Kabila winning by a landslide in the Swahili-speaking east and Mr Bemba ahead in the Lingala-speaking west. FIRST ROUND RESULTS DR CONGO WAR 1998 - 20024m deadAt least 8 armies, many rebel groups2003: Rebels join unity governmentEast remains unstable17,000 UN peacekeepers These unofficial results show a similar trend to the first round, with Mr Kabila winning by a landslide in the Swahili-speaking east and Mr Bemba ahead in the Lingala-speaking west.
These results imply that the support for Mr Kabila of the candidates who came third and fourth in the first round, both from the west, has done little to boost his support there.These results imply that the support for Mr Kabila of the candidates who came third and fourth in the first round, both from the west, has done little to boost his support there.
Turn-out is reported to be lower across the country than in July's first round.Turn-out is reported to be lower across the country than in July's first round.
Mr Kabila won first round polls on 30 July, but fell just short of the 50% needed for outright victory.Mr Kabila won first round polls on 30 July, but fell just short of the 50% needed for outright victory.
Many Congolese fear that whoever loses the elections will resort to violence, as both men have considerable numbers of armed men and weapons at their disposal.Many Congolese fear that whoever loses the elections will resort to violence, as both men have considerable numbers of armed men and weapons at their disposal.
Both men have said they will accept the results, as long as they are free and fair.Both men have said they will accept the results, as long as they are free and fair.
DR Congo's rich reserves of minerals such as gold, diamonds and coltan - used in mobile phones - have attracted a series of armed groups, both Congolese and foreign, intent on looting.DR Congo's rich reserves of minerals such as gold, diamonds and coltan - used in mobile phones - have attracted a series of armed groups, both Congolese and foreign, intent on looting.
This country two-thirds the size of western Europe has just 300 miles of paved roads.This country two-thirds the size of western Europe has just 300 miles of paved roads.
UN officials say the polls are the most important on the continent since the 1994 election that ended apartheid in South Africa.UN officials say the polls are the most important on the continent since the 1994 election that ended apartheid in South Africa.