Voters in the Congo Republic (Brazzaville) went to the polls today in elections that were largely boycotted by the opposition. It was widely expected that President Denis Sassou-Nguesso would win another seven year term. Sassou-Nguesso has been in and out of power since a 1979 coup, losing multiparty elections in 1992 before coming back to power in a civil war that destroyed much of the capital in 1997. The president won the last election in 2002, when his main rivals were banned or withdrew, citing irregularities.
Opposition parties had called for Sunday’s vote to be postponed to allow for the creation of a new election commission and the clean-up of voter lists, which were a source of complaints during 2002 polls.
More than 2.2 million people were eligible to vote, the election commission said. Overall Congo-Brazzaville, a former French colony, has some 4 million inhabitants.
Congo is Africa’s fifth-biggest oil producer.
More from the New York Times:
The Congo Republic voted Sunday in an election widely expected to give President Denis Sassou-Nguesso seven more years in power, but turnout appeared low after an opposition boycott.
There were no reports of widespread violence, but scuffles were reported between former militia fighters and soldiers in the volatile Pool region, the scene of fighting during a conflict from 1997 to 2002.
Investors seeking to diversify the economy in the central African country, Africa’s fifth-biggest oil producer, are watching to see whether the vote starts a repeat of the conflict and fights that have marred previous elections and disrupted political and economic stability.
Opposition parties, citing irregularities in voter lists and cards, had called for the vote to be postponed to allow for the creation of a new election commission and the cleanup of voter lists, which were a source of complaints during the 2002 election.
The European Union has also already criticized the lack of progress made here since the voting in 2002.
Few took part in demonstrations called by the opposition in the lead-up to the vote, but there was apathy among many of the 2.2 million eligible voters.
Mr. Sassou-Nguesso, who has attracted large crowds at campaign rallies and told his followers not to fear political violence, voted under a heavy security presence.
He has been in and out of power since a 1979 coup, losing multiparty elections in 1992 before sweeping back into power in a war that destroyed much of the capital, Brazzaville, in 1997. He won the election in 2002, when his main rivals were banned or withdrew, citing irregularities.
“Not much has evolved since 2002 in terms of an administration which does not give clear figures on registration, electoral lists or the process itself,” said Miguel Amadochief of the European Union mission. “We expected more progress from the government.”