DR Congo poll board 'to unveil results soon'

Democratic Republic of Congo's President Joseph Kabila is stepping down after 17 years in power. /REUTERS
Democratic Republic of Congo's President Joseph Kabila is stepping down after 17 years in power. /REUTERS

People in the Democratic Republic of Congo are bracing themselves for the result of the presidential election, which was held on 30 December.

The latest indications are that provisional results will be now be released at about 22:00 GMT.

The electoral commission, which had summoned journalists to its headquarters, has told them to return at 23:00 local time.

An al-Jazeera journalist is circumspect about whether the results will be announced then.

The electoral commission was meant to publish results last Sunday but said it needed more time.

Anti-riot police have been deployed in the capital, Kinshasa, reports the BBC's Louise Dewast from the city.

There are widespread concerns that a contested result could spark unrest.

The country's powerful church has called for calm and is asking the authorities to reflect the will of the people in the results.

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