By STAFF Writer
November 26, 2011
CONGO ELECTION NEWS - Congo goes on ballot today, Monday, after weekend clashes between rival parties supporters and security forces in the run-up to parliamentary and presidential election. This is the second post war vote in which the entire Congolese are able to vote.
President Joseph Kabila, in power since 2001, is fighting against ten rivals. More than 18,500 candidates are competing in the five hundred parliament seats.
The poll started late in Goma's eastern lakeside town which experienced some worst pre-election violence. Ballot boxex arrived late at one polling station in Lubumbashi's southern city. Thousands of people were seen in the early hours lined up at polling station to cast their ballots.
In last 15 years the mineral-rich state has seen two wars and experienced decades of misrule. Though officially the last conflict ended in 2003 but the nation in the heart of Africa always remained plagued by instability. The eastern part of Congo is still ruled by plethora of foreign and local rebel groups.
In 1996 Congo plunged into war after neighbors and rebel fighters teamed up to overthrow Mobutu Sese Seko, corrupt men and former dictator who ran the country three decades of kleptocratic rule.
The first election after the end of wars was held in 2006 and was seen as free and fair election but after the voting gunbattles erupted.
On the Human Development Index the United Nations ranked Congo in dead last of 187 countries.
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| Congo Polls |
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| Congo Polls |
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