Elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo were comparatively well managed and voting was relatively smooth, the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), say.

That's despite a number of logistical problems and some violence.

Observers said that many polling stations opened late. They also concluded that voters had been insufficiently educated about electronic voting machines, which were used in the country for the first time.

While recognising the challenges of organising an election in areas facing an Ebola outbreak and armed conflict, the AU criticised the decision to exclude some voters from the polls, saying that political stakeholders were not adequately consulted.

These are the first self-financed elections in the country - an important milestone for democratic growth, according to Sadc.

The AU said it hoped results of these elections will reflect the will of the people and called on those who wish to contest them to do so using the legal means available.

The internet in the country has been suspended for three days.

The government says this is to avoid the spread of unofficial results.

The shutdown is expected to continue at least until provisional results are published on 6 January.