The presidential election that is to lead to the country’s first democratic transfer of power The last polls are scheduled to close at 1700 (1600 GMT) GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo: Polling stations opened in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday for a presidential election that is meant to lead to the country’s first democratic transfer of power, according to a Reuters witness in the city of Goma. Due to the time difference, voting is due to start an hour later in western parts of the Central African country. The last polls are scheduled to close at 1700 (1600 GMT), although voting will continue for those still in line.