Fire destroys thousands of Congo voting machines in capital

Africa

Thousands of voting machines have been destroyed in an overnight fire in the Democratic Republic of Congo just 10 days before the presidential election, but officials have vowed it will interrupt the voting process.

The fire broke out early on Thursday  according to the electoral commission, at a warehouse in the capital. It is  however too early to determine the cause as well as the extent of the damage.

President Joseph Kabila’s chief adviser says the fire is of criminal nature and that some 7,000 voting machines and polling booths were burned.

Congo’s security minister says the voting machines for Kinshasa which mark about 10 percent will be replaced “very quickly.” He also says the fire could be of criminal origin.

Congo’s first use of voting machines in the 23 December elections has caused disputes.

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