* Nervous capital awaits presidential election results
* Final tally has already been delayed twice
By Jonny Hogg
KINSHASA, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Shops closed, streets emptied, and security forces in riot gear deployed in parts of Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa on Friday ahead of election results that many fear could trigger renewed street violence.
The central African state's electoral commission is expected to name the winner on Friday of the hotly-contested Nov. 28 poll, the country's first locally-organised presidential vote since a war that killed more than 5 million people.
Both incumbent President Joseph Kabila and his main rival Etienne Tshisekedi have claimed victory.
"It is impossible for us to go about our normal lives," said Clementine Luembe, a 40-year old woman who hawks goods on the street. "We are all worried about the results."
Diplomats, government officials and journalists gathered from mid-morning at the heavily guarded electoral commission building in the city for results promised on Friday, after two previous delays this week.
Kabila leads so far with 48.9 percent of the vote, ahead of Tshisekedi with 33.3 percent, according to partial results covering nearly 90 percent of polling stations. But the opposition has said it would reject any Kabila victory, and has alleged the results up to now are fraudulent.
International observers have said the process has been marred by irregularities and disorganisation, but have stopped short of calling for the vote to be annulled.
At least 18 people have been killed in election-related violence so far, according to U.S.-based Human Rights Watch, and Kabila's camp has warned the government would have to call in the army if protests become "too chaotic".
On Friday, convoys of police trucks patrolled the city, and security forces carrying tear gas launchers were deployed on corners.
The poll was meant to move Congo towards stability after years of conflict and turmoil that has held back foreign investment and development, but fears are mounting it will instead prove a setback.
Diplomats have been pushing for a mediated solution if the outcome is rejected, though Kabila's camp has refused mediation, saying there is not yet a conflict.
The government of neighbouring Congo Republic said this week it is preparing a refugee camp north of Brazzaville in case violence forces people to flee across the Congo River. (Additional reporting by Emmanuel Braun; Writing by Richard Valdmanis; Editing by David Lewis and Rosalind Russell)
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