EU Presidency statement on the presidential election in the DRC

Press release 468/2006
17 November, 2006

The Presidency welcomes the announcement by the Independent Electoral Commission of the provisional results of the second round of the presidential election in the DRC.

The Presidency recalls the discussion on DRC at the Council on 13 November and the call on both candidates to refrain from any provocation, as well as to use their influence so that their supporters remain calm and avoid violence. In  line with the 7 November Joint Communiqué by the two candidates, any disagreements must be resolved peacefully, within the foreseen legal framework.

The Council also commended the efforts of the Independent Electoral Commission in ensuring that the electoral process remains credible and transparent. In that respect, the Presidency notes also the recent positive statements made by  international and national observers.