Initial results from the presidential elections marked by widespread logistical troubles

in DR Congo began to trickle in on Friday, December 23, with the nation's electoral commission, Ceni, announcing results for Congolese voters living in South Africa, Belgium, France, Canada and the United States.

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According to reports, the initial results represent a tiny proportion of the overall votes cast, but they indicated a provisional lead for incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi.

Tshisekedi faces 18 candidates as he seeks a second term. The incumbent’s main rivals have protested over what they alleged to be an "electoral fraud of the century”. Martin Fayulu, runner-up in the disputed 2018 presidential election, described the situation as "total chaos" while millionaire businessman Moïse Katumbi said it was too soon to judge but there had been "many failures".

Tshisekedi’s election as president in 2018 was marred by accusations of vote-rigging and fraud is running for a second term.

Independent observers raised concerns about the vote, with the US-based Carter Center describing "serious irregularities” at 21 out of 109 polling stations it visited and noting "a lack of confidence in the process”.

Results are supposed to be announced by December 31.