Guinea: Legislative elections and constitutional referendum rescheduled to March 22 /update 14

Event

President Alpha Condé announced in a decree on Friday, March 13, that the legislative elections and constitutional referendum originally scheduled for Sunday, March 15, will now take place on Sunday, March 22. The electoral campaign has been extended until Friday, March 20.

The National Front for the Defense of the Constitution (FNDC) opposition party has called for protests to take place across the country on Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22, to denounce the vote and call for its cancelation.

A heightened security presence is expected around all demonstration sites and political rallies. Business disruptions and increased security measures are anticipated in the leadup to the rescheduled legislative elections and constitutional referendum, as well as following the vote.

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 then 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.