The Republic of Congo today holds a referendum on proposed changes to the constitution that would allow President Sassou Nguesso to run for a third term.
Opposition leaders have sharply criticized the move and have called for a boycott after a number of protesters died in clashes with security forces.
The current constitution as is does not allow Nguesso to seek re-election because he is over the age limit set for presidential contestants, and he has also served two terms.
The constitution requires that aspirants for the Presidency be below 70 years.
President Sassou Nguesso first came into power in 1979. He is now coming to the end of his second seven-year term after he won the 2009 elections with nearly 79% of the cast votes in an election which nearly half of the opposition candidates boycotted.
Tens of thousands of Congolese nationals took part in peaceful demonstrations against the referendum in September.
