DR Congo candidates demand annulment of elections
Voters at the Jean Calvin polling station wait for election materials to arrive after the official opening of voting stations throughout the city of Lubumbashi on November 28, 2011. Photo/AFP
Three Democratic Republic of Congo presidential candidates on Tuesday demanded the annulment of elections they said were marred by "breaches and irregularities".
The group, who include Senate speaker Leon Kengo, issued a joint statement alleging the uncovering of "fictitious" polling stations and pre-marked ballot papers benefiting incumbent Joseph Kabila.
They also complained about a ban on political rallies imposed on the last day of campaigning Saturday, the "use of state resources" by Kabila, the non-opening of numerous polling stations, a lack of ballot papers and the exclusion of opposition party monitors from counting stations.
The three said they attached "no credibility" to the results of Monday's vote and "demand the invalidation, pure and simple, of these elections given the breaches and irregularities".
Monitors have reported widespread election fraud and chaos as votes were counted Tuesday after a campaign and polling day marred by deadly violence.
