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KINSHASA. – Democratic Republic of Congo says thousands of voting machines have been destroyed in an overnight fire just 10 days before the presidential election, but officials vow it will not disrupt the vote.

The electoral commission says the fire broke out early on Thursday at a warehouse in the capital. It says it is too early to declare the fire’s cause or the extent of the damage.

President Joseph Kabila’s chief adviser says the fire is of criminal nature and that at least 7 000 voting machines and polling booths were burned.

DRC’s security minister says that represents 10 percent of the voting machines for Kinshasa and that they will be replaced “very quickly”. He also says the fire could be of criminal origin.

DRC’s first use of voting machines on Decemebr 23 has caused controversy. – AP