In Congo-Brazzaville, Congolese voters have been timidly going to the polls since this morning of Sunday July 10 to elect deputies and local councillors. In all, more than 2,000 candidates took part in these elections boycotted by part of the opposition.
With our correspondent in Brazzaville, Loicia MartiaI
In most centers, voting started at least an hour late. At the Joseph Nkeoua school, in the second district of Bacongo where seven candidates are competing, the first ballots were slipped into the ballot boxes after 8:00 a.m.
No crowds until midday. As proof, at the Lheyet Gaboka school, in the fifth arrondissement, where we went at noon: in the first polling station, out of 944 registered, barely thirty had answered present.
Those who vote say they ” express a duty a citizen and above all hope for a change and a new sound in the National Assembly.
Those who boycott believe that these elections do not have too many stakes, arguing that the results are almost known in advance. They also follow the watchword of a fringe of the opposition which denounces a lack of transparency.
In Brazzaville and everywhere else, the lanes are closed to traffic. Only vehicles that have obtained safe conduct issued by the police are authorized to circulate.
Polling stations will close at 6:00 p.m. local time and counting will begin immediately.
Read also: Congo-Brazzaville: what strategies for the opposition to the legislative elections?
The first results may fall during the week, according to an official of the Electoral Commission who did not specify a date.