DRC: Thousands of Voting Machines Destroyed in Warehouse Fire

Thousands of voting machines have been destroyed in a warehouse fire in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a mere 10 days before the presidential elections kick off.

According to the electoral commission, a fire broke out on Wednesday night, 12 December, at the commission’s warehouse located in the capital city of Kinshasa.

The presidential advisor, Barnabe Kikaya Bin Karubi, disclosed that at least 7 000 voting machines, ballot boxes and polling booths were devastated.

However, the destruction of the equipment – which represents 10% of the voting machines for the city – will not disrupt the voting process, and new replacement equipment will be provided for “very quickly”.

Kikaya added that the fire is believed to be the work of criminals, and that the police who were guarding the warehouse had been arrested. The Kinshasa police chief said that forensic police were on site to investigate.

This is the latest incident in the wave of violence leading up to the election, which has also seen civilians clashing with police at campaign meetings.