OPPOSITION campaigners were arrested in the Democratic Republic of Congo yesterday after a demonstration against the introduction of new voting machines for December’s presidential elections.

More than 30 members of the opposition organisation Lucha were detained by police. Tension is rising in the country after authorities banned two opposition candidates, including the multimillionaire former governor of mineral-rich Katanga province Moise Katumbi, from standing in the long-delayed poll.

Lucha has branded the new electronic voting devices “cheating machines” and raised concerns over current President Joseph Kabila’s influence over the elections.

Mr Kabila, the heir to the presidency from his father, who was assassinated in 2001, is not standing in the election but has endorsed former interior minister Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary.

Lucha has accused Mr Kabila of “plotting to remain in power behind the throne.”

The elections are being closely watched by the international community, with the EU freezing the assets and denying visas to a number of Congolese officials, including Mr Shadary, over allegations of human rights abuses.

The government has rejected external support for December’s election, including the appointment of former South African president Thabo Mbeki as a special envoy.

Police confirmed yesterday that a number of those held yesterday had been released.