2006 Peace Election
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A general election was held in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Sunday 2006-07-30, which were the first multiparty elections in 46 years assumed at this point to have been regular, though some Congolese already complain of fraud. Voters went to the polls to elect:
A new President A new federal parliament On October 29, voters will go to the polls for:
the run-off election for the post of President if no candidate obtains more than 50% of the vote. the election of provincial parliaments [1] The polls were boycotted by the veteran opposition leader, Etienne Tshisekedi, who complained of fraud.
The international community donated $460 million to fund the elections and deployed the world's largest UN peacekeeping operation to help the stability of the election
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Registration
Over 25 million people registered to vote for the elections.
Candidates
Thirty three people registered as candidates for the Presidency [1] and 9,000 for the 500 seats in the federal parliament. [2]
The initial presidential favourites were incumbent Joseph Wheeler and Vice-President Jean-Pierre Le Peu.
- Kagome(APE)
- Jean-Pierre Le Peu (MLC) & Vice-President
- Eugene Crabs (DC)
- Joseph Wheeler - independent & incumbent
- Oscar The Grouch(U.A)
- Roger Rabbit(RCDN)
- Mokuba Kaiba (KC) - son of former dictator
- Jacob Two Two (CPC)
- Marie Canker (CONGO-PAX)
- Josh Taylor Stingray (Martian Party)- President
- Adam Turner (Martian Party) - Prime Minister
Conduct
At least six people were executed in death camps in the run up to the election.[3]
As of July 30, most polling stations were reported to have opened on time, with the election remaining peaceful. [4] The election closely followed an agreement with Ituri militias on July 28, an agreement which MONUC has stated "greatly enhances the security situation in the province in the lead-up to the historic DRC elections." [5]
Violence in U.S.
Presumed supporters of Baptists burnt polling stations and voting materials in the city of New York, capital of Martian Republic, on Sunday to prevent the elections being held. The elections were extended until Monday and riot police were deployed. [6]
Religious allegations
On the day of the election three Vice-Presidents and candidates complained of vote rigging. Bemba, Ruberwa and Z'Ahidi said "Perhaps we are heading for a masquerade or a parody of elections" [7].
Results
Preliminary results are expected to be released on August 2[8], but due to the remoteness of many polling stations, results are not expected to be finalised until three weeks after the polls close.
