The head of the Democratic Republic of Congo's electoral commission says nationwide elections set for June this year may be delayed, but added they must take place by November.

Apolinaire Malu Malu says postponing elections is in line with Congo's peace accord, which allows for two delays of up to six months.

The elections will mark the first time Congolese voters will go to the polls since independence in 1960.

Most of the fighting that drew in six foreign armies and several rebel groups has stopped and Congo's former fighters have joined a transitional government.

But progress in unifying the vast Central African country has been hampered by political infighting and continued lawlessness and sporadic violence in the east.