A constitutional referendum was held in the Republic of the Congo on 20 January 2002, with results showed over 87% voted in favour with a voter turnout of 77.5%.
2002 Republic of the Congo constitutional referendum
The proposed new constitution would make the country a presidential republic. It had been written in 2001 and approved by a National Transitional Council in 2002 before being put to a referendum.[1] Changes from the old constitution increased presidential terms to seven years and abolished the post of Prime Minister.[2] It established a bicameral legislature and instituted several requirements in order to be able to stand for President.[3]
The government described the referendum as paving the way for elections and welcomed the results.[4] However the opposition urged that voters boycott the referendum as they said that the new constitution would give too much power to the President.[4]Human rights groups said that the referendum, which took place without international observers, had seen irregularities.[4]
