Opposition rallies against DRC's Kabila

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- Political parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo said they were considering alliances to make sure a November vote isn't rigged in favor of the incumbent.

The U.N. Security Council said the DRC government was solely responsible for ensuring that presidential and legislative elections are fair and free of violence, noting the Nov. 28 election should be open to the media and afford all participants with the opportunity for constructive political debate.

Aime Boji, a leading figure in the Union for the Congolese Nation, said his party was looking to form an alliance with members of the Congolese opposition.

"Discussions have been ongoing for a while now, not only to come together to defeat Joseph Kabila, but also to make sure that the elections are free and fair," he was quoted by Voice of America as saying.

"The second big issue that is being discussed is to see whether it is possible to have a united front behind one candidate, to maximize the chances of the opposition to defeat the current president."

Recent DRC conflicts were linked to tensions between Kabila's People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy and opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi's Union for Democracy and Social Progress.

DRC police in September used tear gas to disperse opposition supporters marching on an electoral commission building.

There are at least 10 challengers to Kabila on the November ballot. Another 18,000 have filed their names as candidates in the country's 500-member Parliament.