Congo Parliament says census required before 2016 election

KINSHASA (Reuters) - Lawmakers in Democratic Republic of Congo gave initial approval on Monday to a bill requiring a census before a 2016 election, president of the national assembly Aubin Minaku said, a process the opposition says could delay the poll by years. Under the constitution, President Joseph Kabila will not be able to stand for re-election next year and critics say the government census is a strategy to prolong his time in office. The government says the census can be completed within a year. The proposal will now proceed to a special commission before a final vote in parliament, Minaku said.