Mr Tshisekedi got 73% of the vote, the court said.

The court validated the incumbent's victory despite independent observers' reports of widespread irregularities during the 20 December vote
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The poll was also marred by widespread logistical problems, which the opposition said were part of a deliberate plan to rig the results in favour of Mr Tshisekedi.

Only one opposition candidate out of 18 took the matter to court. Others including the runner-up, Moïse Katumbi, refused to mount a legal challenge after questioning the independence of the judiciary.

The Constitutional Court ruled on Tuesday that the reported irregularities could not have impacted the overall result because there was such a big gap between the incumbent and Mr Katumbi, who won around 18% of votes.

The verdict paves the way for Mr Tshisekedi's swearing in for a second term on 20 January.