Congo holds historic vote on new constitution News
Congo holds historic vote on new constitution

[JURIST] Citizens of Congo [JURIST news archive] went to the polls Sunday for the first time in more than 30 years to vote on a draft constitution that could secure lasting peace in the country. Many of the 24 million registered voters in the country lined up outside polling stations early in the morning, with some banging on the doors to be allowed in to cast their ballots. Final results in the referendum are not expected before the end of the year. The draft constitution [AP summary], authored by members of a transitional government, will create 25 semi-autonomous regions in the country, and will set up a three-branch government led by a president. Some Congolese viewed the document skeptically after living for decades under the dictatorship of Mobutu Sese Seko followed by years of violence and reported human rights violations [JURIST report]. AP has more.