Congo’s presidential vote is extended as delays and smudged ballots lead to fears about credibility

By SAM MEDNICK and RUTH ALONGA
Associated Press

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Lengthy delays at the polls have forced officials to extend voting in Congo’s presidential election to Thursday. Many voters in the West African nation struggled to cast ballots because of steep logistical and security challenges, raising concerns about the election’s credibility. The national election commission says polls that were unable to open Wednesday will open on Thursday. The commission has pledged that every voter will be able to cast a ballot. But among other problems, some ballots were so smudged they were illegible, and some people couldn’t find their names on voting rolls. At stake is the integrity of the vote in one of Africa’s largest nations, one whose mineral resources are increasingly crucial to the global economy.