4-month-old baby dies in stampede to polls

Congo held its first national democratic poll in 40 years on Sunday but intimidation and violence at voting stations marred the poll on a post-war constitution meant to end decades of dictatorship, war and chaos.

From schools in the sprawling riverside capital Kinshasa to thatched huts in the jungle and tarpaulin tents in the lawless east of the vast African nation, voters queued from early in the morning for a ballot many regard as crucial to their future – even though most have never seen the text. “I do not know what is contained in this constitution, but what I know is that today’s vote is a vote for peace,” said motorbike taxi driver Janvier Eilimwa in Goma, eastern Congo.A woman and a baby died in stampedes near Goma as people rushed into voting booths.The four-month old baby was crushed after its mother dropped it in the rush.A UN official said a woman was crushed in a similar incident at a different place.EU observers said turnout was high across the country.But election workers and observers said threats in opposition strongholds had put many people off voting.Kinshasa riot police clashed with a group of around 20 youths who gathered outside a polling station and told people not to vote.The youths began hurling rocks at the police, who detained at least one of the group.In Goma, police beat a couple of dozen people with batons as they tried to force a crowd of nearly 200 into a single queue at a polling station, a Reuters reporter witnessed.The referendum is the first step towards polls planned for next year and meant to draw a line under Congo’s last conflict, which officially ended in 2003 and has killed nearly 4 million people since 1998, mostly from hunger and disease.Supporters of the “No” vote clashed with police on Friday, while three voting offices were attacked early on Saturday.- Nampa-Reuters”I do not know what is contained in this constitution, but what I know is that today’s vote is a vote for peace,” said motorbike taxi driver Janvier Eilimwa in Goma, eastern Congo.A woman and a baby died in stampedes near Goma as people rushed into voting booths.The four-month old baby was crushed after its mother dropped it in the rush.A UN official said a woman was crushed in a similar incident at a different place.EU observers said turnout was high across the country.But election workers and observers said threats in opposition strongholds had put many people off voting.Kinshasa riot police clashed with a group of around 20 youths who gathered outside a polling station and told people not to vote.The youths began hurling rocks at the police, who detained at least one of the group.In Goma, police beat a couple of dozen people with batons as they tried to force a crowd of nearly 200 into a single queue at a polling station, a Reuters reporter witnessed.The referendum is the first step towards polls planned for next year and meant to draw a line under Congo’s last conflict, which officially ended in 2003 and has killed nearly 4 million people since 1998, mostly from hunger and disease.Supporters of the “No” vote clashed with police on Friday, while three voting offices were attacked early on Saturday.- Nampa-Reuters