This crowd says the only way current President Joseph Kabila can win is if the elections are rigged. They say if that happens, they plan to take to the streets.

But local ruling party leaders say they are optimistic about Monday’s polls, saying they are preparing for a clean election. Cyrille Muhongya leads President Kabila's campaign in North Kivu. He says the president, the only elected head of state in the DRC in more than 40 years, will surely win.

"It is him who is engaging in the process of national reconstruction because the country was at war for a long time," Muhongya noted. "Our country once had ethnic wars, and many other battles."

But opponents say Kabila has had his chance. They say he promised easterners development, humanitarian aid and peace. But on the dusty streets of Goma, it is clear that there is still desperate need of all three.

Christian Badose is candidate number 100 of about the 1,800 running for parliament. He supports Etienne Tshisekedi, who is likely Mr. Kabila’s most formidable opponent. He says he doubts the electoral commission has the ability to hold credible, transparent elections.

"The people working for the electoral commission are the same as those in 2006 and they didn’t prove they had the capacity to hold neutral elections. This is why we don’t think the elections will be transparent," Badose said.

Hopes and tensions are high as campaigns wind down, and commissioners prepare for Monday’s contest.