Votes continue to be counted and tallied in the Democratic Republic of Congo after Sunday’s crucial general elections.
But authorities have shut down internet in key cities in an attempt to prevent speculation about final results.
The opposition is however accusing the government of ordering the internet blackout on Monday.
Government officials have however denied the claim saying they are unaware of the shutdown.
The voting process on Sunday was characterized by delays and long queues, leaving many voters frustrated.
About 40 million voters participated in choosing a new President and lawmakers across the country.
Final results for Sunday’s presidential election will be announced on January 15 and the new president sworn in on January 18.
Both opposition and ruling coalition are claiming victory even before partial results are made public.
The opposition in the central African country is however raising concerns about what it calls widespread irregularities during the vote.
The elections took place without President Joseph Kabila. President Kabila took over as president from his father Laurent who was assassinated in 2001.
He has failed to hold elections during his tenure on several occasions, a decision that sparked violence for years.
Key contenders
21 candidates contested the presidential elections but there are three key frontrunners.
The ruing coalition was represented by Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary who is a former interior minister. He was backed by outgoing President Joseph Kabila.
The major rival for Shadary is Martin Fayulu from an opposition coalition. Fayulu is a former oil executive and backed by several other opposition leaders hoping to defeat the ruling party.
The third contender is Felix Tshisekedi Tshilombo, the son of a late veteran opposition leader. He refused to back Fayulu after withdrawing from an agreement to back the opposition coalition candidate.
Source: Africafeeds.com
