DRC ELECTION DAY: SITREP 4, 10/29 2130

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001674 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM CG ELECTIONS SUBJECT: DRC ELECTION DAY: SITREP 4, 10/29 2130 REF: A. KINSHASA 1673 ¶B. KINSHASA 1672 ¶C. KINSHASA 1671 ¶1. Kabila and Bemba reached agreement late this afternoon on a Declaration of Post-Electoral Intentions that includes commitments for both the winner and loser in the October 29 presidential election. The declaration, signed by Samba Kaputo for Kabila and Thomas Luhaka for Bemba and witnessed by MONUC chief William Swing, includes assurances on security, assets and travel for the loser and renunciation of violence by either side regarding the results of the election. A copy has been transmitted to AF/C and to S/ES-O. ¶2. Reports from observers throughout the country indicate voting proceeded calmly during the day. There was no indication of organized violence intended to disrupt elections. No observer mission reported any major problems, but scattered logistical hitches and violent incidents similar to the July 30 first round did take place. The most serious of these occurred in Bumba in Equateur province, which resulted in at least one death. Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) President Apollinaire Malu Malu told a press conference this evening in Kinshasa that voting in Bumba would continue October 30. ¶3. Counting of votes by hand is now proceeding nationwide. Kinshasa polling stations generally closed later than elsewhere due to the late opening of many because of the rain. There have been scattered reports of people showing up too late at their voting stations here due to erroneous broadcast information that polls would be open past scheduled closing. Power in the Katangan capital of Lubumbashi is reportedly out, with officials counting ballots by candle and lamp light. ¶4. Turnout is generally estimated to have been lower nationwide than in the first round. Anecdotally, in Kinshasa it looks to have been 55-65 percent. In the East early estimates include: Bukavu, South Kivu - 80-85 percent; Maniema province - up to 70 percent; North Kivu - 70-75 percent; Ituri District - 60 percent. ¶5. A Reuters story of voter intimidation in Ituri based on a report from a Human Rights Watch observer claimed the Congolese army prevented some 15-25,000 people from voting in the town in Nizi. In fact, as the observer clarified to us this evening, the figure is an estimate by the local CEI based on significantly lower turnout than the first round, rather than a count of people forcibly prevented from voting. The observer witnessed soldiers at a roadblock demanding brides of 100-200 Congolese francs (20-40 cents) to enter the town, which had clearly intimidated some from attempting to vote. She also told us that many people had a walk of 4-6 hours to reach Nizi (as in many other rural locations in the DRC),and would have had to cross a river that had risen due to rain. Some 62 voting stations were affected. ¶6. Observers also remarked on the important number of political party witnesses at polling stations. This represents a significant commitment by the parties to monitor the process and a change from the first round, when very few witnesses were present. In Kinshasa, a representative of Kabila's AMP expressed pleasure that elections had passed calmly. A counterpart from Bemba's UN complained that AMP figures had attempted to buy votes. This is the only accusation of fraud that was brought to our attention. ¶7. Provisional results of the presidential vote will be announced no later than November 19, with the provincial assembly results set for December 5. Unofficial results from polling stations from around the country are beginning to come in, and Malu Malu indicated in an interview October 28 that a general idea of the result would be known within the next two weeks. Compilations from political party witness should also be announced on an ad-hoc basis in anticipation of the final results. MEECE