Mr Etienne Tshisekedi, the leader of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) has called for a general civil disobedience if, by December 6, a new President is not elected.

Addressing his supporters on Sunday in Kinshasa City, Mr Tshisekedi said: "On December 6, President Kabila will become a simple and ordinary citizen." December 6 is the end of Joseph Kabila's mandate and it is the date the next head of State is supposed to be sworn in after election.

Mr Tshisekedi is known for his caustic criticisms towards regimes in DR Congo since 1983 during the reign of Mobutu Sese Seko.

Mr Tshisekedi urged UDPS supporters to massively vote him in the coming presidential election. He said the current regime is corruption and dictatorial.

The chairman of the electoral body, the Rev. Daniel Ngoyi Mulunda, said recently that polls will be organised in time.