WASHINGTON— Representative Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today released the following statement on the Democratic Republic of Congo’s election:

“After two years of delays, I was glad to see the Democratic Republic of the Congo hold elections on December 30. On that day, millions of Congolese courageously expressed their desire for a peaceful, democratic transfer of power. Now that votes are being counted, DRC authorities must tally votes and release results transparently to ensure public confidence in the outcome of the election.

“Election observers must be granted full access to the tabulation process, and the electoral commission must commit to releasing disaggregated results from individual polling centers. Additionally, the Congolese government must restore internet, text-message, and social media connections that have been cut in major urban centers, and allow its citizens the opportunity to express themselves peacefully.”