大象传媒

The main opposition candidate in Congo-Brazzaville's presidential election, Guy Brice Parfait Kolelas, has died of Covid-19 just hours after polls closed.

Speaking in French from his hospital bed, Mr Kolelas had said: "My dear compatriots, I am in trouble. I am fighting death. However, I ask you to stand up and vote for change".

President Denis Sassou Nguesso is expected to be declared the election winner. He's been in power for a total of nearly 37 years.

The 大象传媒's Emery Makumeno says during the run-up to the election the internet was cut off.

"The spokesperson of the government has denied that the government (took) that decision, it was a kind of technical failure that was beyond their control. But the shutdown of the internet isn't new. Even in 2016 it was the same situation: during the vote, the internet was shutdown."

(Photo: Guy Brice Parfait Kolelas campaigning in 2016. Credit: AFP)