Equatorial Guinea votes for constitutional reform

An African election in progress.

Equatorial Guinea votes for constitutional reform

Equatorial Guinea's proposed constitutional changes are on course to be approved after about sixty percent of all the results from the polling stations were in favour.

According to a government statement released on Monday, the initial results from votes in the country and diplomatic missions abroad gave the "Yes vote" about 99 percent.

President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo's government says the reforms are meant to promote democratic advances in the oil-producing nation.

Obiang came to power in a 1979 coup d'etat.

Final results will be given on Wednesday, according to Clemente Engonga Nguema Onguene, the chairman of the national election board.

Human rights concerns

New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) and EG Justice, an organisation that promotes greater transparency and human rights in Equatorial Guinea, have led criticism of the constitutional changes, saying they would further deprive citizens of their rights.

Obiang's government has highlighted a clause in the proposed changes that will put future limits on the number of terms a president can serve, but HRW and EG Justice said the proposals also include measures such as removing an existing age limit that would have stopped 69-year-old Obiang running for a new term after the age of 75.
The groups also say that the creation of the post of vice president may pave the way for Obiang to hand-pick his successor.

In comments also posted on the government website, Obiang dismissed critics of the reforms.
"The reforms are a good step and what is good for the country is good for everyone," he said.
Equatorial Guinea became an energy producer 15 years ago and output is currently at about 400,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day.

Reuters/Ugo