In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, uncertainty over the country's elections is hurting the local economy. Presidential, legislative and provincial polls were due to be held last Sunday, defusing a two-year crisis over the future of President Joseph Kabila. But national election supervisors ordered a week-long postponement, blaming a warehouse fire that destroyed voting machines and ballot papers earmarked for Kinshasa. Our correspondent Chris Ocamringa has more details.

Kamal M'kadam is a trader dealing in household appliances in the DRC capital Kinshasa.

He's among many Congolese business people hoping to cash in on the December shopping frenzy.

But not many customers have been buying his products.

KAMAL M'KADAM CONGOLESE TRADER "Business has been very slow ever since the election period began. People just pass by to ask prices but don't buy."

Kamal's troubles are shared by other small-scale traders as well.

JEAN IKOFO CONGOLESE TRADER "My business has been really poor since the month began."

Foreign investors worried about the outbreak of violence after the December elections are also reported to have pulled out of deals signed with the DRC government.

A. L. KITENGE CEO, INNOVATION TASKFORCE "For the last two or three years, there was no way any businessman could plan ahead not knowing exactly where we are going. One of the examples is the Inga III Dam. Some pre-arrangement was signed with South Africa but today the parliament of South Africa has pushed back the decision."

The DRC is rich in minerals but the majority of its population is poor.

CHRIS OCAMRINGA KINSHASA, DR CONGO "The uncertainty surrounding the DRC elections has scared away some investors. A significant setback for an economy that has been projected to grow by 3.8 percent."

The forthcoming election is crucial to millions of Congolese who haven't had a peaceful transfer of power since the country gained independence from Belgium in 1960.

Many voters are yearning for a better standard of living and an end to the conflicts in the east.

The country's economy relies heavily on the revenue from the export of minerals. An industry that has many foreign-owned firms.

Congolese traders like Kamal only hope that the elections on the 30th of December go smoothly to enable their businesses to flourish.

Chris Ocamringa, CGTN, Kinshasa, DRC.