Photo MONUSCO/Myriam Asmani

Kinshasa, 28 November 2011 - The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mr. Roger Meece, today visited some polling stations in Kinshasa to get a firsthand glimpse of the voting process. Mr. Meece, who is also head of the UN Stabilization Mission in the country (MONUSCO), was accompanied by the UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Fidele Sarassoro who is also the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General.

Representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) told the Special representative that globally everything in their voting centres had been going on smoothly. They however pointed to the absence of the names of some prospective voters on the voter list even though their registration cards clearly states that that was where they were to vote.

Speaking to journalists outside a polling station, Mr. Meece expressed satisfaction at the orderly and peaceful way that the voting process was being conducted. He was particularly encouraged, he said, by the fact that officials of the CENI were performing their duties professionally.

He strongly condemned the violence that marred the end of the campaign period which led to the loss of lives and property. "It is regrettable and I am therefore calling on all the political leaders to exercise restraint and to accept the verdict of the polls."