Congo's Catholic and Protestant churches demand inquiry into election issues

FILE PHOTO: A supporter of holds a portrait of president Felix Tshisekedi of Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) as they prepare to celebrate ahead of the announcement of provisional results of the December presidential election, at their party's headquarters in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo December 31, 2023. REUTERS/Justin Makangara/File Photo

KINSHASA (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo's powerful Catholic bishops conference and Protestant churches on Thursday demanded an independent inquiry be opened into irregularities and alleged legal violations observed during December general elections.

Congo's CENI election commission said on Sunday that President Felix Tshisekedi had secured more than 73% in the Dec. 20 vote. But a large group of opposition candidates say the election was fraudulent and reject the provisional results.