Presidential election in Congo-Brazzaville: the counting of the vote organized without internet

An electoral agent counts the ballots in Poto-Poto, 3rd district of Brazzaville, March 21, 2021. AFP - ALEXIS HUGUET

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The counting of the results of the presidential election organized on Sunday March 21 in Congo-Brazzaville began immediately after the closing of the polling stations;

an organized vote without internet making the task difficult even for observers.

Overall, the ballot did not experience any major incidents, and did not mobilize massively.

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With our correspondent in Brazzaville,

Loïcia Martial

It was in a sufficiently bright room in the town hall of Poto-Poto that the officials of the four polling stations installed in this place carried out the counting.

Observation: here as everywhere else, the delegates of the majority candidate were present, those of a few other candidates were missing.

We only had three out of seven delegates;

the candidate of the presidential majority, the party of Kolélas and Kignoumbi Kia Mboungou.

In any case, they were only three out of seven,

”said an office manager on condition of anonymity.

As in 2016, the vote was marked by the shutdown of the Internet, making it difficult for journalists and even observers.

The African Union has deployed around 20 instead of 60, due to the coronavirus. 

"

We have deployed our observers in more than six zones,

" explained their head of mission Dileita Mohamed

.

And in each zone everyone has made quite a few offices inside.

Unfortunately, due to the Internet cut-off, there is no impact on these places.

Those who remained in the capital, we were able to get them and we were able to talk on the phone

”.

Some dysfunctions have been observed here and there: the non-existence, for example, of the names of certain voters on the lists, while they had their cards.

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  • Congo Brazzaville