DR Congo Elections: Opposition agrees to field single candidate in upcoming polls

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03:07

Moving to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the political opposition has agreed to field a joint candidate in the elections scheduled for late December. They are expected to officially announce the nominee in the coming weeks. But one candidate from the 'Union for Democracy and Social Progress Party' looks like the most likely pick. CGTN's Chris Ocamringa has that story from the country's capital.

Thousands of Congolese turned out for an opposition rally in the DRC capital Kinshasa. The main opposition parties called their supporters to announce their coalition ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for December 23rd. Seven leading opposition figures have agreed to back one candidate in the upcoming polls.

CHRIS OCAMRINGA KINSHASA, DR CONGO "The main opposition parties have chosen to put aside their differences and field one candidate in the December elections. They are now rallying their supporters to prepare them to vote as one bloc."

Although they didn't officially announce the candidate, some opposition members believe it's going to be Felix Tshisekedi, the leader of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress party.

THIERRY KABUYA LAWYER "It's clear. Felix Tshisekedi is more popular. The Congolese people want to see Felix Tshisekedi president of this country."

ABRAHAM LUAKABUANGA SPOKESPERSON, FELIX TSHISEKEDI "The people have called Felix Tshisekedi, even one of the candidates named him. So we know that it's just a matter of a few days and they are going to appoint 'President' Felix Tshisekedi as the common candidate for the opposition."

Felix is the son of veteran opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi who passed away in 2017. He's a 55-year-old marketer who may not be as experienced as his colleagues in politics, but he certainly knows how to fire up the crowds.

FELIX TSHISEKEDI PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "The electronic voting machines are tools that will be used to cheat in the polls. If we remain united as Congolese, we won't fail to get rid of them."

It's slightly over two months to the polls. But the opposition have rejected the electronic voting machines arguing that they'll be used to rig the vote - an allegation that the Electoral Commission has denied. Some citizens who've used the machines in mock elections endorsed them.

"Voting using the electronic machine is so fast. One can even leave food on the fire and go cast their vote and return to find it still cooking."

The dispute over the voting machine comes days after President Kabila assured world leaders of holding credible elections in December. The opposition coalition's candidate will face off with President Kabila's chosen successor, Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary and 15 other candidates.

The opposition's decision to unite has excited many Congolese as well as this man's pet. Many hope that unity will bring about the first peaceful transfer of power in the DRC. Chris Ocamringa, CGTN, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.