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1st LD Writethru: DR Congo parliament OKs new electoral law

Xinhua, January 26, 2015 Adjust font size:

Lawmakers of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) approved on Sunday a new electoral law stripped of a provision that tied a census to 2016 general elections and triggered deadly protests.

The new law was passed after both the Senate and the National Assembly agreed to remove the controversial clause that may delay elections.

The lower house adopted the hotly-contested bill last weekend, which prompted criticism that President Joseph Kabila may take advantage of the law and stay in power. Dozens of people were reportedly killed during days of protests that ensued.

The Senate unanimously voted on Friday to amend the bill, scrapping the provision that requires a census, which may take years to finish, to be completed before 2016 presidential and legislative elections.

The modified version says that any revision of the electoral roll must be completed with respect for the "constitutional and legal deadlines." Endi