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DR Congo Senate amends controversial electoral bill

Xinhua, January 24, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo)'s Senate unanimously voted on Friday to amend a controversial electoral bill following days of deadly clashes.

With the amendment, the Senate decided to scrap a provision that requires a census, which may take years to finish, to be completed before 2016 presidential and legislative elections.

The opposition parties have argued that the new law is aimed at postponing the 2016 presidential elections and extending the second term of President Joseph Kabila beyond December next year.

In stead, the Senate said in its modified version that any revision of the electoral roll must be completed with respect for the "constitutional and legal deadlines."

A joint committee of the Senate and the lower house, the National Assembly, will meet over the amended bill to reach a common ground before putting it to a final vote. Endi