Gabon’s ruling junta praises constitutional referendum as a ‘turning point’

Gabon on Saturday held a referendum on a new constitution that the ruling junta calls a “major turning point” after a coup ended 55 years of rule by the Bongo dynasty in the oil-rich nation.

The central African country’s 860,000 registered voters have faced an onslaught of calls by authorities on TV, radio and social media to make their ballot count – whether they choose a green one meaning “yes” or a red one for “no”.

With the campaign dominated by official propaganda, local media say voter turnout will be a key factor.

Voting began late at several polling stations in the capital Libreville, including at the Lycee Leon M’Ba school where green and red ballot papers were still being handed out when the polls opened at 7:00am.

The country’s 2835 polling stations are due to remain open until 6:00pm.

“We have a date with history,” transitional President General Brice Oligui Nguema declared on social media, alongside a photo of himself in civilian dress and baseball cap, with a voting card in his hand.