Congo sets date for 2011 vote; opposition says date too close to end of president’s term

Congo sets date for 2011 presidential vote

KINSHASA, Congo — Congolese politicians say the date set for 2011 presidential elections is unconstitutional.

Opposition senator Moise Nyarugabo said Tuesday the constitution requires presidential polls to be held 90 days before the end of the president’s term. The Nov. 27 election date announced late Monday is less than a month before the end of President Joseph Kabila’s term in December 2011.

The electoral commission has said they need some $700 million in foreign assistance to hold the poll in the large Central African nation.

Kabila was first elected in 2006 in Congo’s first democratic election and is likely to run again. He succeeded his father, who seized power in 1997 but was later assassinated. Veteran opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi said he will also run.