Correspondent|A Congo opposition party is calling its candidate the “presumed winner” of the presidential election and indicates that Felix Tshisekedi has had contact with departing President Joseph Kabila “to prepare a peaceful and civilized transfer of power.”

Kabila adviser Kikaya Bin Karubi, however, on Tuesday denied any such contact.

The statements by UDPS opposition party secretary-general Jean-Marc Kabund appeared to go against electoral regulations that say only Congo’s electoral commission can announce election results.

The UDPS also warned that the commission could be delaying the announcement of the Dec. 30 election results in a bid to manipulate the outcome. The electoral commission on Sunday delayed it indefinitely.

A spokesman for the ruling coalition rejected the accusation, asking “Why would we have to steal?”