Congo-Kinshasa: Joseph Kabila Wins Run-Off

15 November 2006

Washington, D.C. — The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of the Democratic Republic of Congo declared in a statement on Wednesday evening that incumbent Joseph Kabila had won the October 29, 2006 run-off presidential election.

The statement, read on Congolese national television and broadcast live over the Internet by Radio Okapi, said Joseph Kabila had won 9,436,779, or 58.05 percent, of the votes, while challenger Jean Pierre Bemba received 6,819,822, or 41.95 percent.

"Mr. Kabila Kabange Joseph is elected as president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo," the statement said.

Under Congolese law, these results must be certified by the Supreme Court, but the certification is generally considered a formality.

None of the two candidates had issued a statement immediately following the announcement by the IEC.

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