Félix Tshisekedi Secures Clear Lead In DRC Presidential Election According To Partial Results

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s electoral commission (Céni) has been progressively revealing partial results from the presidential election held on December 20-21, showcasing incumbent leader Félix Tshisekedi leading by a significant margin securing over 80% of the vote.

The disclosed results pertain to 1,876,827 voters out of the nearly 44 million registered in the expansive country home to approximately 100 million inhabitants.

At this stage of the vote count, Félix Tshisekedi, who assumed power in early 2019 and seeks a second five-year term, has garnered an impressive score of 81.4%. Following behind are businessman and former governor of Katanga, Moïse Katumbi (15.18%), and another opponent, Martin Fayulu (1.2%). The remaining twenty or so candidates, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege, have failed to secure more than 1%.

While the Céni has not disclosed the turnout rate, it has opted to release presidential election results gradually since Friday. The elections were conducted simultaneously with legislative, provincial, and local elections, with results for the latter set to be published later.

Initially scheduled for a single day on the 20th, the quadruple ballot was extended due to logistical issues, officially for one day but stretching into Christmas in remote areas. Opposition candidates have decried the perceived “chaos” and “irregularities” throughout the voting process, planning demonstrations for the following Wednesday and some even calling for outright cancellation of the elections.

During his Christmas mass, the Catholic Archbishop of Kinshasa, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, characterized the elections as a “gigantic mess,” echoing concerns raised by numerous embassies.

Amid the tense political backdrop, marked by a troubled history and rich mineral resources but widespread poverty, the prelate and embassies have called for “prudence and restraint.”

The electoral process has been further complicated by security issues in the eastern DRC, where the past two years have witnessed heightened tension and the resurgence of the M23 rebellion, supported by Rwanda.