riots As the Democratic Republic of Congo votes today for its first multi-party elections in 40 years, security has been tightened. The elections, aimed at ending a long civil war, have 32 candidates including incumbent President Joseph Kabila in the fray for the presidency.



Over 25 million people, protected by the largest United Nations peacekeeping force in the world, will decide the fate of the presidential candidates as also that of more than 9000 parliamentary aspirants. Results are not expected for several weeks. In the east of the country people are already flocking to the polling stations from miles are around.



In the central town of Mbuji-Mayi , anti-election protestors burned a lorry containing election material. On Friday a soldier loyal to presidential candidate Azarias Ruberwa was killed and two others wounded in a clash with security forces protecting Mr. Kabila as the two groups met on the way to their respective rallies. The killing was similar to the incident on Thursday when troops owing allegiance to presidential candidate Mr. Jean-Pierre Bemba opened fire killing two policemen during a pro-Bemba rally. These incidents highlight the problems of former rebels’ turned-presidential candidates who can muster their own troops.



votingrules The eastern part of the country, which saw the worst of 1997-2002 conflict and where militia groups remained active till recently, poses the most serious concern to the electoral process. It was only on Wednesday this week that the three main militia groups in the eastern province of Ituri agreed to lay down arms. At least four people were killed and 13 others were wounded last week in the north province of Kivu during campaigning, international watchdog group Human Rights Watch (HRW), reports. This rises questions about how free and fair the elections will be in the hotly contested areas of the country. The police and UN peacekeepers will have to keep order or the violence and intimidation will deter people from voting.



A large consignment of heavy weapons including Russian-made T-72 tanks apparently ordered by the government was delivered at the port of Matadi and was transported during the night to the capital Kinshasa. The United Nations officials’ mission had apparently been advised by the authorities of the delivery of heavy weapons for security purposes.



The presidential candidates include the four Vice-Presidents who took office in terms of a transitional power-sharing agreement. Out of them three are leaders of former armed factions.





It is a challenge not only for the UN peacekeepers but also for the police on how free and fair elections they can ensure in this trouble-torn country. They must remember that it is Congo’s first muti-party elections in 40 years. Already there has been bloodshed so it is incumbent on them to make sure that the electorate is allowed to exercise its will without fear and intimidation. Their task does not end here. They must see to it that that will translates into real democracy and the country does not slip back into anarchy. The Congolese deserve to be wished the best of luck in their endeavour.



Via : bbc