Low turnout at Congo referendum

Turnout in a referendum in Congo was reduced to a trickle in the capital after the opposition asked voters to boycott the poll, a report said on Monday. The referendum was to ascertain whether the president can legally stand for a third consecutive term in an election due next year. President Denis Sassou Nguesso, 71, […]

Turnout in a referendum in Congo was reduced to a trickle in the capital after the opposition asked voters to boycott the poll, a report said on Monday.
The referendum was to ascertain whether the president can legally stand for a third consecutive term in an election due next year.
President Denis Sassou Nguesso, 71, is the latest long-serving African president to try to prolong his grip on power by changing the constitution.
Several other such efforts have provoked violence, and four died in Congo Republic last week when security forces opened fire on protesters.
In some parts of the capital, the only voters were members of the security forces, witnesses said.
Sassou Nguesso said he regretted that the opposition had called for a boycott.