11 Mar 2020 | 10:52 AM UTC
Guinea: Officials postpone March 15 legislative elections and constitutional referendum /update 13
March 15 legislative elections and constitutional referendum postponed to unknown date; heightened security presence and increased political tensions expected
Event
The president of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) announced on Tuesday, March 10, that legislative elections and a constitutional referendum originally scheduled for Sunday, March 15, will be postponed. The exact date has not been announced as of Wednesday, March 11. While opposition leaders said they will boycott the election and referendum, related protests with the potential for violence are possible in the coming days and weeks.
A heightened security presence is expected around all demonstration sites. Business disruptions and increased security measures are anticipated in the lead up to the rescheduled legislative elections and constitutional referendum, as well as following the new election date announcement.
Context
The legislative election and referendum had already been postponed from March 1, to March 15, due to concerns raised by international observers about the electoral register. The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie had earlier ceased its electoral-monitoring mission citing 2.49 million "problematic" entries on the electoral register.
President Condé, who has been in power since 2010, is proposing a new constitution via a referendum. The new constitution would increase a presidential term from five years to six, and would impose a two limit term. It is unclear if previous terms served would count, however, Condé has inferred that they would not. The opposition has denounced the referendum as a constitutional coup enabling Condé to remain in power, and announced it would boycott the vote.
Supporters of the National Front for the Defense of the Constitution (FNDC) opposition party have held multiple protests in recent weeks which have sometimes resulted in violence.
Advice
Individuals in Guinea, particularly in Conakry, are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.
