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The full results of Democratic Republic of Congo’s election are expected shortly, with President F\u00e9lix Tshisekedi enjoying a commanding lead over opposition candidates who have demanded a rerun.<\/p>\n
President Tshisekedi has received about 72% of the votes announced so far, and appears set for a second term.<\/p>\n
The 20 December election was marred by widespread logistical problems.<\/p>\n
It had to be extended to a second day in some parts of the vast country.<\/p>\n
About two-thirds of polling stations opened late, while 30% of voting machines did not work, according to an observer group.<\/p>\n
Millions of people waited for hours before they were able to vote, while some gave up and went home.<\/p>\n
The opposition said the problems were part of a deliberate plan to allow the results to be rigged in favour of Mr Tshisekedi.<\/p>\n
Several of the main challengers have called for protests after the results are announced on Sunday.<\/p>\n
“We call on our people to take to the streets en masse after the proclamation of the electoral fraud,” they said in a joint statement dismissing the “sham” election.<\/p>\n
The head of the election commission has previously said the opposition candidates wanted a new election because “they know they lost… they are bad losers”.<\/p>\n
Election chief Denis Kadima acknowledged some irregularities but insisted that the results announced so far reflected the will of the Congolese people.<\/p>\n