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Congo Republic votes, opposition wants boycott

Congo Republic votes, opposition wants boycott
Written by Christian Tsoumou
Sunday, July 12, 2009 8:50:16 PM

BRAZZAVILLE (Reuters) - Congo Republic's President Denis Sassou-Nguesso is widely expected to win another seven years in power in Sunday's election, which opposition parties plan to boycott over what they say are irregularities.

Investors are watching to see whether the vote sparks a repeat of the conflict which has marred previous elections and affects political and economic stability in Africa's No.5 oil producing country.

"You should go and vote for your candidate Denis Sassou-Nguesso in peace," the president told some 100,000 supporters in a final rally just outside Brazzaville.

"Fear not and go and vote. There will not be any more war in Congo."

Opposition parties, citing irregularities in voter lists and cards, had called for the vote to be postponed to allow for the creation of a new election commission and the clean up of voter lists, which were a source of complaints during 2002 polls.

The European Union has also already criticised the lack of progress made in Congo since elections in 2002.

"No one should go and vote on Sunday. Stay at home -- we don't want an electoral hold up or a parody of an election," Clement Mierrassa, head of the Congolese Social Democratic Party, which is part of the coalition calling for a boycott.

Many voters complain they have not been issued with their cards while opposition parties say an extra 500,000 cards have been printed for fraudulent votes.

The election commission says that some 2.2 million people will be eligible to vote for the 13 candidates when the polls open at 0600 GMT.

The ruling party has mobilised large crowds during election campaigning while the divided opposition has struggled to drum up support for its rallies, with some voters preferring to keep the political status quo rather than risk a return to violence.

EU DISAPPOINTMENT

Disputes in the lead up to the poll have led to some tensions though analysts say they are unlikely to spill over into violence as they have in the past.

Sassou-Nguesso has been in and out of power since a 1979 coup. He lost multiparty elections in 1992 and then swept back into power during a war that destroyed much of the capital in 1997.

He won the last election in 2002, when his main rivals were banned or withdrew, citing irregularities.

"In terms of the electoral process, not much has evolved since 2002 in terms of an administration which does not give clear figures on registration, electoral lists or the process itself," Miguel Amado, head of the EU mission in Congo said.

"We expected more progress from the government," he added.

The EU said it was not sending observers to monitor the vote due to priorities elsewhere.

Investors are looking for signs of stability before they diversify into other sectors of the economy such as mining and agriculture, and several major deals hinge on the outcome of the election.

A group of South African farmers have been told they must wait until after polling day until they know if they have secured a multi-million hectare land deal in Congo, one of the largest such deals on the continent.

Labels: DENIS SASSOU-NGUESSO, DRC, ELECTIONS

posted by MrK @ 7:52 PM