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Kabila close to DR Congo victory Kabila close to DR Congo victory
(20 minutes later)
Provisional election results from across the Democratic Republic of Congo suggest President Joseph Kabila will win the country's run-off election.Provisional election results from across the Democratic Republic of Congo suggest President Joseph Kabila will win the country's run-off election.
Results from all 169 voting districts put Mr Kabila on 58%, ahead of ex-rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba on 42%.Results from all 169 voting districts put Mr Kabila on 58%, ahead of ex-rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba on 42%.
Results from each polling station were published by the Independent Electoral Commission and counted independently.Results from each polling station were published by the Independent Electoral Commission and counted independently.
International peacekeepers have deployed extra troops in the capital, Kinshasa, which is said to be tense.International peacekeepers have deployed extra troops in the capital, Kinshasa, which is said to be tense.
The city is a Bemba stronghold and a likely flashpoint for any trouble.The city is a Bemba stronghold and a likely flashpoint for any trouble.
FraudFraud
Final results are supposed to be published by Sunday after the commission examines any complaints from rival camps. Final results are supposed to be published by Sunday after the electoral commission (CEI) examines any complaints from rival camps.
The IEC stresses that no "trend projection" can be made on the basis of the provisional results - so Mr Kabila cannot yet be declared the winner. The CEI stresses that no "trend projection" can be made on the basis of the provisional results - so Mr Kabila cannot yet be declared the winner.
RUN-OFF RESULTS Kabila: 58%Bemba: 42%Votes counted: 100% Source: Tallies from CEI figuresRUN-OFF RESULTS Kabila: 58%Bemba: 42%Votes counted: 100% Source: Tallies from CEI figures
Poll officials say allegations of fraud from Mr Bemba's camp are unsubstantiated.Poll officials say allegations of fraud from Mr Bemba's camp are unsubstantiated.
Electoral commission head Apollinaire Malu Malu called for candidates to respect election rules after the Bemba coalition said their candidate had received more than 50% of the vote and that victory "was being stolen from the Congolese people".Electoral commission head Apollinaire Malu Malu called for candidates to respect election rules after the Bemba coalition said their candidate had received more than 50% of the vote and that victory "was being stolen from the Congolese people".
An analyst who wished to remain anonymous told the BBC that there were serious questions about the validity of some ballot papers, especially a large number of votes cast by voters outside their home areas.An analyst who wished to remain anonymous told the BBC that there were serious questions about the validity of some ballot papers, especially a large number of votes cast by voters outside their home areas.
International observers urged election participants to refrain from hasty judgments and remain patient until all appeals have been considered and the final results are announced.International observers urged election participants to refrain from hasty judgments and remain patient until all appeals have been considered and the final results are announced.
The Carter Center mission said they believed fraud was virtually impossible after ballots had been counted at each polling station.The Carter Center mission said they believed fraud was virtually impossible after ballots had been counted at each polling station.
'Logical''Logical'
Mr Malu Malu said accusations of fraud had to be backed up with proof.Mr Malu Malu said accusations of fraud had to be backed up with proof.
At least four people were killed in Saturday's clashesAt least four people were killed in Saturday's clashes
"Elections need precision and this precision is a guarantee of transparency. Those who want to proclaim themselves are just impostors," he said."Elections need precision and this precision is a guarantee of transparency. Those who want to proclaim themselves are just impostors," he said.
"They fool no-one but themselves.""They fool no-one but themselves."
Bemba's coalition said in a statement, that if the CEI had cheated, they would not feel bound to comply with an earlier promise to respect the outcome of the election.Bemba's coalition said in a statement, that if the CEI had cheated, they would not feel bound to comply with an earlier promise to respect the outcome of the election.
"The Union for the Nation will not accept an electoral hold-up that aims to steal victory from the Congolese people," the coalition said in a statement"The Union for the Nation will not accept an electoral hold-up that aims to steal victory from the Congolese people," the coalition said in a statement
Regional divideRegional divide
The vote has been the first following DR Congo's five-year conflict.The vote has been the first following DR Congo's five-year conflict.
Forces loyal to the two candidates clashed during the war as well as during the tense election period.Forces loyal to the two candidates clashed during the war as well as during the tense election period.
Following violence on Saturday in which four people died, the police arrested 337 homeless people, including 87 children, the government says, blaming them for starting the trouble.Following violence on Saturday in which four people died, the police arrested 337 homeless people, including 87 children, the government says, blaming them for starting the trouble.
Eyewitnesses say that security forces loyal to the two candidates exchanged gun- and mortar-fire.Eyewitnesses say that security forces loyal to the two candidates exchanged gun- and mortar-fire.
United Nations observers say the election is the most significant in Africa since Nelson Mandela was elected as South Africa's president in 1994.United Nations observers say the election is the most significant in Africa since Nelson Mandela was elected as South Africa's president in 1994.
The first round of elections showed a regional divide, with Mr Kabila gaining a landslide in the Swahili-speaking east, while Mr Bemba got most support in the west, where Lingala is the common language.The first round of elections showed a regional divide, with Mr Kabila gaining a landslide in the Swahili-speaking east, while Mr Bemba got most support in the west, where Lingala is the common language.
The world's largest peacekeeping force - 17,000-strong - is in DR Congo, tasked with ensuring security.The world's largest peacekeeping force - 17,000-strong - is in DR Congo, tasked with ensuring security.
At least 23 people were killed in gun battles between security forces loyal to the two men in Kinshasa after the announcement of first round results.At least 23 people were killed in gun battles between security forces loyal to the two men in Kinshasa after the announcement of first round results.
Mr Kabila won 45% of the vote, while Mr Bemba got 20%.Mr Kabila won 45% of the vote, while Mr Bemba got 20%.
International observers generally praised the vote as being well-run, despite some disruptions in the north-east of the country.International observers generally praised the vote as being well-run, despite some disruptions in the north-east of the country.