- 6 minutes ago
- From the section Africa
Elections are taking place in five African countries, while Senegal is holding a referendum on reducing presidential terms.
A presidential run-off is going ahead in Niger even though the opposition candidate is in a French hospital.Congo-Brazzaville has cut all telecommunications for two days to prevent "illegal publication of results" of its presidential election.
Elections are also being held in Benin, Cape Verde and Zanzibar.
Congo-Brazzaville cuts phones
Congolese Interior Minister Raymond Mboulou has ordered telephone operators to cut all communications - telephone, text messages and the internet.Only a few official numbers have been excluded from the ban.
Image copyright AFP The opposition has condemned the communications blackout, saying it will prevent election monitors from doing their job, and warned of rigging.
General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko is seen as the strongest challenger to President Denis Sassou Nguesso.
Mr Sassou Nguesso has been in power since 1979, except for a five-year period after losing elections in 1992.
The constitution was changed after an October referendum to remove term and age limits which would have prevented the 72-year-old from standing again.
Follow the elections live (in French)
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Niger's absent candidate
The opposition in Niger has called for a boycott, alleging fraud, and the BBC's Ishaq Khalid says he has not seen many voters in the capital, Niamey.Mr Amadou was jailed in November on baby-trafficking charges, which he denies. He was flown to Paris last week for medical treatment.
His medical condition is unclear, but his health reportedly deteriorated in prison.
One of the world's poorest countries, Niger faces a growing jihadist threat and was attacked by militants from al-Qaeda and Boko Haram on Thursday.
In February's first round, Mr Issoufou got 48% of the vote while Mr Amadou came second with 17%.
Niger election explained
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Zanzibar boycott
Security was tight in Zanzibar after violent protests over recent elections.The BBC's Tulanana Bohela reports that there were not many voters in the polling stations she visited.
October's election was cancelled after CUF candidate Seif Sharif Hamad declared himself the winner before results were officially announced.
CUF says the annulment was because it had won, while the electoral commission said there had been widespread fraud.
With the CUF boycotting, President Ali Mohamed Shein of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi, which is in power across Tanzania, looks set to be re-elected.
As the polls closed, election official Salum Kassim Ali said he had not "received any big complaints. The vote counting is underway and the results will be out as soon as possible, and within 72 hours".
More about Zanzibar
Senegal's presidential term limits
The new constitution being voted on in Senegal would cut presidential mandates from seven to five years and would not allow a president to run for more than two consecutive terms in office.The BBC's Maud Jullien in Dakar says it is an unusual move on a continent where many leaders are trying to extend their time in office as much as possible.
President Macky Sall's critics say he had promised to reduce his current term but is not doing so and the new constitution, if passed, would only affect future presidential terms.
Our reporter says the referendum has become a popularity test for the president rather than a debate on the issues at stake.
The new constitution proposes 14 other changes, including:
- The opposition leader will have a status recognised by the constitution and will enjoy official benefits
- Local councils get more powers
- New rights for citizens - to a healthy environment and over natural resources and land ownership
Benin 'a model for Africa'
Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou, a former investment banker, faces Patrice Talon, the "king of cotton" in a presidential run-off.President Thomas Boni Yayi is standing down after serving two terms in office.
Image copyright AFP As he cast his vote, Mr Zinsou said the campaign had been "dignified, calm and peaceful. A model for Africa".
He said he hoped the country would stay peaceful on the day of the vote and the coming days.
Mr Talon used to be a close ally of President Boni Yayi but was accused of masterminding a plot to poison him in 2012.
He fled to France but returned last year after receiving a presidential pardon.
More about Benin
Cape Verde's legislative election
The African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) and the Movement for Democracy (MFD) have dominated politics since independence from Portugal in 1975.President Jorge Carlos Fonseca is from the MFD, while Prime Minister Jose Maria Neves is from PAICV.
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