In spite of the heavy rain that disrupted the displacement of the voters in Kinshasa and in other cities of the country, the historic vote of Sunday 29 October, 2006 took place in peace. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) mentioned two isolated incidents in Equator province which caused at least one death.

"The Independent Electoral Commission is pleased to inform the national and international public opinion that the votes of 29 October 2006, for the second round of the presidential election and the provincial legislative elections took place normally on the whole national territory," indicated a communiqué of the IEC.

However, the Commission draws the public opinion attention to two "serious incidents" that occurred in the Equator province and caused at least one death in the locality of Bumba. The IEC announced that a new vote will be organized on Tuesday 31 October in 12 centers of this district.

The IEC president, Apollinaire Malu Malu, didn't give any indications on the turnout of the polls because some offices remained even open. According to an initial estimation made by observers and the media, the participation at the second round was less substantial than at the first round of the presidential election, last 30 July.

In spite of the heavy rain that fell on Kinshasa and few other cities in the west of the country, the Congolese went to the polls to choose their future president, between the two candidates, Joseph Kabila and Jean-Pierre Bemba, and their provincial deputies.

Mr. Malu Malu thanked all those who contributed to the success of this day, in particular the international and national observers and the witnesses of the political parties. And he asked them to continue monitoring the counting of the votes.

The provisional results of the second round of the presidential election should be announced by the CEI at the latest next 19 November according to the electoral calendar.

As to the provisional results of the provincial elections, they will be declared on 5 December, according to the same calendar.