DR Congo goes to the polls amid conflict in east

By AFP Millions of Congolese head to the polls Wednesday in a high-stakes election pitting the incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi against a fragmented opposition, as much of the east of the country is mired in conflict. Polling stations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are to open at 6 am and close at 5 pm local time — though the huge country straddles two time zones, so the eastern regions will start voting an hour earlier, at 0400 GMT. Voters still waiting in line at 5 pm will be given tokens and polling booths will stay open until they cast their votes, an official at the electoral commission told AFP. The government declared a bank holiday for Wednesday, and […]