By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The incumbent President of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been declared winner of the presidential election in the East African country which the opposition has condemned, handing him a second term in the country’s number one political office.
Denis Kadima, head of the national election commission (CENI) while declaring Tshisekedi winner in the capital, Kinshasa on Sunday, said the President was elected with 73.34 percent of the vote, defeating his opponents with wide margin.
According to Kadima, Tshisekedi obtained over 13 million votes out of over 18 million valid votes.
The December 20 election was marred by widespread logistical problems leading to an extension to a second day in some parts of the country.
The problems were staged to allow the results to be rigged in favour of Tshisekedi, the opposition says but CENI has denied any complicit.
Earlier, an opposition group took to the streets to protest after the results were released.
“We categorically reject the sham elections… and its results,” the main opposition candidates said in a joint statement.
They also demanded fresh elections be held with a new electoral body on a date to be agreed by all.
However, Kadima said the results of the elections reflected the will of the people.
Tshisekedi is due to be sworn in for a second term on January 20.
