DR Congo: Restore internet services as 'a matter of urgency', urges UN expert.

More than a week after voters went to the polls to choose a new President in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), results have yet to be announced and all primary telecommunications remain shut down - prompting a UN expert on Monday to urge the authorities to restore internet services as 'a matter of urgency'.

'A general network shutdown is in clear violation of international law and cannot be justified by any means,' said David Kaye, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, commenting on the information blackout in place since 30 December.

According to a senior Government official, the authorities cut internet and text services to preserve public order after 'fictitious results' began circulating on social media, saying that they would be restored after the preliminary results due on 6 January. Those results has now been postponed.

'Access to information is crucial for the credibility of the ongoing electoral process', stressed Mr. Kay, adding that 'shutdowns are damaging not only for people's access to information, but also for their access to basic services'.

News reports described a climate of suspicion surrounding the poll in a country that has not gone through a peaceful transition of power since 1960, when it gained independence from Belgium. As of Sunday, the head of the election commission, CENI, said that just over half of ballots have been counted.

The UN expert cited reports indicating that the shutdown was hindering both electoral observers and witnesses in sharing information from rural polling stations with local centres that...