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