Opposition Leader Felix Tshisekedi Wins DRC Elections, Country Braces For Possible Protests

Felix Tshisekedi, the leader of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) party, which is the main opposition party in the Democratic Republic of Congo has won the elections, according to provisional results announced by the country's electoral board. 

The news filtered in on late Wednesday, with riot police having been deployed at the commission's headquarters in the country's capital, Kinshasa. Protests are expected to erupt in the wake of fears of a disputed result in the long-delayed December 30 vote marked by accusations of vote fraud.

In the event that everything goes well as it is supposed to be, this will be DRC's first democratic transfer of power since independence from Belgium in 1960. 

A lot of irregularities were however raised by observers during the elections. 

There is curiosity to see what will unfold in the next coming days.

The losing candidates can contest the poll results before the country's constitutional court, which has ten days to hear the matter. 

The losing candidates include businessman Martin Fayulu and ruling party candidate Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary. 

More is expected to follow.