Republic of Congo president calls for peace during polls

The campaign team of Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso on Wednesday urged other candidates in the March 20 presidential elections to maintain peace during the vote.

"We appeal for responsibility from each candidate," said Juste Desire Moundelle, a spokesman for Nguesso during a press conference in the capital Brazzaville.

As the campaigns entered the home stretch, he said, there should be nothing negative happening on the public.

Another spokesman for Nguesso, Thierry Moungalla, hit out at some opposition candidates who he said had promised to challenge election results that do not give them victory, or which would not be in their favour.

Speaking of the decision by radical opposition parties to create a parallel vote tallying center, Moungalla said that would be an illegal act and the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) was the only legal institution mandated to tally and announce election results.

The atmosphere in Brazzaville has become tense as the election nears, with messages issued by some candidates warning residents to leave the capital city.

However Moungalla said the government would put in place measures to ensure security during and after Sunday's elections.

He also expressed confidence in the incumbent president's vote in the polls.

President Nguesso has been in power since 1997. Endit