Equatorial Guinea: Referendum to limit presidential terms

Equatorial Guineans have voted in a referendum that would limit presidential terms in the small oil-rich African country, which has been ruled by the same man for 32 years.

The opposition, however, has called the plebiscite a charade and withdrew its representatives from polling places after alleging serious election violations.

Voting closed at 6:00pm local time (12:00 EST) on Sunday, and the country’s information minister said shortly afterwards that the package of reforms had passed with more than 99 per cent of the vote, with 60 per cent of ballots counted.

Final results are not due until Wednesday, but Jeronimo Osa Osa Ecoro, the information minister, said victory was assured for the reforms package.

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