UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon today urged politicians and voters in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to ensure that tomorrow's presidential and parliamentary elections take place as peacefully and smoothly as possible. In a statement, Ban described the elections as "crucial for the country's progress towards stabilization and development" and stressed the support of the United Nations for the electoral process. He called on "all political leaders and the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to exercise restraint throughout the process to ensure that the elections are held in a peaceful and secure environment. I appeal to them to conform to the relevant provisions of the constitution and the electoral law to promote democratic debate to respect the results of the ballots and to address any disputes that may arise, through the established mediation and legal channels."
