Call for Congo election boycott

Opposition calls for a voter boycott in the Republic of Congo’s presidential election appeared to be cutting into the turnout, but it was unclear how it would affect long-time president Denis Sassou-Nguesso’s bid for another term.

Mr Sassou-Nguesso, who has been in power in the small, oil-rich nation intermittently since 1979, faces 12 opponents but six of them – including main challenger Mathias Dzon – called for voters to stay home after allegations of fictitious voter registration lists.

The European Union and several human rights groups have previously expressed concern about possible election irregularities in the Central African nation overshadowed by its much larger neighbour, Congo. The African Union sent 170 observers.