People Of Gabon Vote In Referendum For New Constitution

The people of Gabon are voting in a referendum on whether to adopt a new constitution that will pave the way to democratic rule after the military deposed President Ali Bongo Ondimba last year, ending fifty-five years of rule by his family in the oil-rich nation.

An estimated eight hundred and sixty thousand registered voters are participating in the exercise on the draft charter, which proposes sweeping changes in the Central African nation that could prevent dynastic rule and sets presidential term limits.

The proposed constitution needs more than fifty percent of votes to be adopted.