BENI, Congo (AP) — Police in eastern Congo have fired live ammunition and tear gas to disperse dozens of people protesting a presidential election delay that means more than 1 million votes will not count.

The protesters in Beni say the delay announced Wednesday by Congo's electoral commission makes no sense. The delay of Sunday's election until March for Beni and Butembo city is blamed on a deadly Ebola outbreak.

Opposition candidates call the delay a ploy to hurt their chances at the polls.

Protesters in Beni on Thursday marched to the election office demanding the right to vote Sunday with the rest of Congo.

They demanded that the electoral commission's president resign. They pointed out that candidates have campaigned in Beni and Butembo with no problems, while school, church and other activities continue.