In a closely watched election in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), President Felix Tshisekedi has secured re-election with more than 70 percent of the vote, according to the country's election commission. The preliminary results, announced in the capital city of Kinshasa on Sunday, have sparked demands from the opposition and civil society groups for a rerun of the election due to significant logistical problems that have called the validity of the outcome into question.

Businessman Moise Katumbi finished behind Tshisekedi with 18 percent of the vote, further solidifying Tshisekedi's position as the victor. The election saw a turnout of over 40 percent, with approximately 18 million people casting their votes. Denis Kadima, the election chief, stated that the results would be sent to the constitutional court for confirmation.

Opposition candidates have a two-day window to submit their claims challenging the results, while the constitutional court has seven days to make a final decision. This timeframe will undoubtedly have an impact on the outcome and may further escalate tensions within the country.

The DRC has a long history of disputed elections that often result in violence, which has contributed to a lack of trust in the country's institutions among its citizens. This recent election has been marred by significant logistical issues, prompting opposition candidates, including Katumbi, to reject the results and call for citizens to mobilize.

The extent of the logistical problems faced during the election cannot be ignored. Many polling stations experienced delayed openings or failed to open at all. Additionally, shortages of materials were reported, and countless voter cards were rendered illegible due to smudged ink. These issues culminated in the need to extend voting into a second day, an action that local observers and civil society organizations have deemed illegal. In some parts of the country, voting was still ongoing five days after the official election day.

Prior to the announcement of the results, opposition candidate Fayulu expressed doubt about the credibility of the elections. "If a foreign country considers these elections to be elections, there's a problem," he stated during a news conference in the capital.

Given the contentious nature of the election and the challenges faced, it is imperative that the constitutional court impartially reviews the claims submitted by the opposition within the specified timeframe. The court's decision will be crucial in maintaining stability and ensuring that the will of the people is upheld.