S. African, Zambian presidents call for release of DR Congo vote results

Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-10 00:06:23|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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JOHANNESBURG, Jan.9 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Zambian counterpart Edgar Lungu have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to release the presidential election results.

Lungu, the chairperson for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation, is on a working visit to South Africa.

"Presidents Ramaphosa and Lungu have called on CENI to speedily finalize the vote tabulation and release the election results in order to maintain the credibility of elections," said South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson Ndivhuwo Mabaya on Wednesday.

"The two Presidents underscored that the delay in releasing the results of the elections can lead to suspicions and compromise peace and stability of the country," said Mabaya.

He stated that Ramaphosa and Lungu were briefed by the Zambian Foreign Minister Joseph Malanji who led the SADC Electoral Observer Mission during elections in DRC. The two Presidents believe the elections were generally peaceful and the right to vote was protected considering the number of voters, vast area had to be covered and the new technology implemented by the CENI.

"The two Presidents also called on all the political parties and the generality of Congolese to remain calm and exercise total restraint while waiting for CENI a constitutionally mandated authority to release the final results," said Mabaya.

Ramaphosa and Lungu also agreed to monitor the situation in DRC and committed SADC's support and solidarity, said Mabaya.

DRC held elections on Dec. 30 last year and the result was scheduled to be announced on Jan.6.

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