Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila casts his vote in the capital Kinshasa.
He is running for another term in elections marred by violence and fears of fraud.
Despite the rocky lead up, thousands are turning up to cast their votes.
(SOUNDBITE) (Swahili) JOEL MWESO, GOMA RESIDENT, SAYING:
"They should let us vote for the person we want, and, for the candidate who loses, he should accept defeat and put things to rest."
Although there are reports of delays, missing materials and incorrect voter lists, people here are still optimistic.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) JACOB MPOY, GOMA RESIDENT SAYING:
"All is well, even though we started with a bit of a delay, but the process is transparent."
This is the Congo's second post-war election.
There are more than 18,500 candidates running for parliament and 11 presidential hopefuls.
The country's provisional results will come out on December 6.
Jessica Gray, Reuters
