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.