DR Congo court upholds President Tshisekedi's re-election

File photo taken on Oct. 3, 2023 shows President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Felix Tshisekedi (C) attending a ceremony at the Sakania dry port in Haut-Katanga province, DR Congo. The Constitutional Court of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Tuesday officially confirmed the re-election of President Felix Tshisekedi following the Dec. 20 polls. (Xinhua/Shi Yu)

KINSHASA, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Constitutional Court of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Tuesday officially confirmed the re-election of President Felix Tshisekedi following the Dec. 20 polls.

Tshisekedi secured a dominant 73.47 percent of the vote, while main opposition candidate Moise Katumbi trailed behind with 18.08 percent, according to the court's declaration.

The president-elect is scheduled to be sworn in on Jan. 20 after the Constitutional Court approves the election results.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission that oversaw the general elections, over 18 million Congolese, from a total of 44 million registered voters, cast their ballots in the elections for the president, the National Assembly and the 26 provincial assemblies.

However, the process was not without controversy as opposition candidates raised allegations of irregularities, which the electoral commission said would not impact the election outcome.

This election was significant as it marked the second peaceful transfer of power in the country's history since independence in 1960. In 2018, Tshisekedi ascended to power after winning the election, marking the country's first peaceful transfer of power since its independence from Belgium.