Congolese voters' views: Leopold

Leopold Musafiri, 39, is an economist in Bukavu in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

I am outside one of the biggest bureaux here in Bukavu but it is not busy at all.

It is raining and I think that because of this people have been discouraged from coming to vote.

People are very quiet and the number of people waiting in the line has reduced a lot compared to when I stopped by before noon to see how everything was going.

CONGOLESE VOTERS' VIEWS Alain Matu, Kinshasa Leopold Musafiri, Bukavu Kudra Katembo, Kisangani Adolphe Ambikile, Kinshasa Leopold's views prior run-off

The rain feels to be getting lighter and maybe it will stop soon. Maybe then more people will come to cast their vote.

Before today there was a lot of talk and everyone was commenting on how they would vote 'en masse' in order to support Kabila.

It does not seem like that to me now, looking at the quiet and empty site before me, but in two hours time we will know for sure when numbers are confirmed.

[Leopold stops talking over the phone to go and join the queue waiting to vote]

I have now joined those who have cast their ballot. I have voted.

It took me five minutes only to do so - things were very easy.

As I was walking out of the station people were starting to arrive in big groups.

Like I thought, the rain had kept people away but also I had forgotten that the Catholic Church is holding a religious commemoration. Many decided to go to mass prior to voting.

I, instead, will go to mass now.

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