Cablegate: Drc Elections Sitrep 2

VZCZCXRO4930
PP RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #1210 2110832
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 300832Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4492
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001210

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPKO CG ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: DRC ELECTIONS SITREP 2

1. (U) Polls in the Democratic Republic of Congo opened
largely on time for the historic July 30 presidential and
legislative elections. Turnout is reportedly high in the
east and moderate in Kinshasa, and numbers could rise after
morning church services. Observers report surprisingly
well-organized polling stations with only minor technical
problems. In Kinshasa, where the legislative ballot runs six
pages, some voters have needed extra time to locate their
candidates, and folding the large pages has proved difficult.

2. (U) No incidents of violence have been reported since
polling began. However, in Eastern Kasai, two polling
centers in Mwene Ditu were burned down overnight. In
Mbuji-Mayi, the capital of Eastern Kasai, turnout has been
low as expected after fliers threatening people who vote
appeared throughout the city in recent days.

3. (U) Teams of mission observers, led by Assistant
Secretary Frazer and including the Ambassador, DCM, PolCouns

SIPDIS
and others, began deploying at polling centers throughout
Kinshasa and elsewhere in the Congo at 6:00 am and will
observer throughout the day. Polls are expected to close at
5:00 pm local time, though counting could continue well into
July 31.
MEECE

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