Guinea’s president delays controversial referendum

The president of Guinea, Alpha Condé, has delayed Sunday’s controversial referendum, which, if passed, would alter the constitution to allow him to seek a third term. 

President Condé called the delay a “slight postponement” and said it was due to opposition claims that officials had tampered with the electoral register. 

The constitutional amendment would extend the length of a presidential term from five years to six, as well as nullifying the time Mr Condé has already served. He has not ruled out the possibility of running for president again and his party does not deny that the new constitution would allow him to do so. 

The proposed change has prompted serious criticism at home and abroad, with violent demonstrations taking place in Guinea during the past few months. 

30 people have been killed in the protests since October. 

An estimated 7.7 million people were registered to vote in Sunday’s polls, which would also elect members of parliament.

The African Union and regional economic bloc Ecowas said they would not be sending election observers to Guinea. 

Earlier this week, the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), a network of French-speaking nations, said there were problems identifying approximately 2.5 million names on the electoral role. 

Photo: AFP