Carter urges DRC vote to reflect people's will

Former US President Jimmy Carter is urging Democratic Republic of Congo's election commission to ensure that presidential election results "reflect the will of the Congolese people" as concerns grow about possible unrest.

A Carter Centre statement on the eve of the scheduled announcement of the first results asks Congolese to remain patient, and it says it understands if vote-counting "might require a few extra days". Electoral authorities have indicated a delay might be needed. Less than half of results had been compiled as of Saturday night.

The Carter Centre, which along with other Western observer missions were not invited to watch the vote, urges that vote-counting be transparent and suggests that the electoral commission post polling station-level results on its website.

Internet services in DRC, however, were cut off the day after the election in an apparent effort by the government to prevent social media speculation about the results.

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