At least 12 dead in Congo in protests over electoral law

Anti-government protests in Congo have left at least a dozen people dead, officials said today, as the Senate postponed a vote on a proposed law that the opposition fears will prolong the president's time in power.
After three days of unrest, Congo's capital returned cautiously to normal today, but protests continued elsewhere.
In the east, four people died, an official said.
The Internet, which was cut amid the protests, was partially restored although text messages were still blocked.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern over the deaths and called on both sides to exercise restraint. A UN Security Council statement deplored the deaths and urged Congo's government to set a framework and calendar for "peaceful, credible and timely elections."

The Senate had been expected to vote today on a proposed law that would require a census before presidential elections next year. But the chamber postponed the vote until tomorrow.

Critics say the logistical challenges of conducting a census in the vast country would delay elections.
The lower house passed the measure Saturday, setting off protests that have roiled Kinshasa and other parts of the country.
Since Monday, 12 people died, government spokesman Lambert Mende said. More than 400 people have been arrested.
But the International Federation for Human Rights had yesterday said that 42 people were killed when security forces fired on protesters.

Mende denied that police fired on protesters and emphasized that the deaths happened as a result of looting.
Neither Mende nor the coalition had death tolls for today, when an uneasy calm returned to the capital. But Omar Kavota, a civil society representative in the eastern city of Goma said four people died there.
The proposed law has raised suspicions among the opposition that President Joseph Kabila, in office since 2001, is hoping to cling to power after his term ends.