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Voters in Benin, Cape Verde, Congo, Niger, Senegal and Zanzibar go to polls Voters in Benin, Cape Verde, Congo, Niger, Senegal and Zanzibar go to polls
(about 1 hour later)
Elections are being held in five African countries, while Senegal is holding a referendum on reducing presidential terms. Elections are taking place in five African countries, while Senegal is holding a referendum on reducing presidential terms.
A presidential run-off is going ahead in Niger even though the opposition candidate is in a French hospital.A presidential run-off is going ahead in Niger even though the opposition candidate is in a French hospital.
Congo-Brazzaville has cut all telecommunications for two days to prevent "illegal publication of results" of its presidential election.Congo-Brazzaville has cut all telecommunications for two days to prevent "illegal publication of results" of its presidential election.
Elections are also being held in Benin, Cape Verde and Zanzibar.Elections are also being held in Benin, Cape Verde and Zanzibar.
Congo-Brazzaville cuts phonesCongo-Brazzaville cuts phones
Congolese Interior Minister Raymond Mboulou has ordered telephone operators to cut all communications - telephone, text messages and the internet.Congolese Interior Minister Raymond Mboulou has ordered telephone operators to cut all communications - telephone, text messages and the internet.
Only a few official numbers have been excluded from the ban.Only a few official numbers have been excluded from the ban.
The government also outlawed the use of motor vehicles nationwide during the vote, except for those with special permits.The government also outlawed the use of motor vehicles nationwide during the vote, except for those with special permits.
The opposition has condemned the communications blackout, saying it will prevent election monitors from doing their job, and warned of rigging.The opposition has condemned the communications blackout, saying it will prevent election monitors from doing their job, and warned of rigging.
General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko is seen as the strongest challenger to President Denis Sassou Nguesso.General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko is seen as the strongest challenger to President Denis Sassou Nguesso.
Mr Sassou Nguesso has been in power since 1979, except for a five-year period after losing elections in 1992.Mr Sassou Nguesso has been in power since 1979, except for a five-year period after losing elections in 1992.
The constitution was changed after an October referendum to remove term and age limits which would have prevented the 72-year-old from standing again.The constitution was changed after an October referendum to remove term and age limits which would have prevented the 72-year-old from standing again.
Follow the elections live (in French)Follow the elections live (in French)
More about Congo-BrazzavilleMore about Congo-Brazzaville
Niger's absent candidateNiger's absent candidate
The opposition in Niger has called for a boycott, alleging fraud, and the BBC's Ishaq Khalid says he has not seen many voters in the capital, Niamey.The opposition in Niger has called for a boycott, alleging fraud, and the BBC's Ishaq Khalid says he has not seen many voters in the capital, Niamey.
President Muhamadou Issoufou is expected to win a second term in the vote against former prime minister and parliamentary speaker Hama Amadou.President Muhamadou Issoufou is expected to win a second term in the vote against former prime minister and parliamentary speaker Hama Amadou.
Mr Amadou was jailed in November on baby-trafficking charges, which he denies. He was flown to Paris last week for medical treatment.Mr Amadou was jailed in November on baby-trafficking charges, which he denies. He was flown to Paris last week for medical treatment.
His medical condition is unclear, but his health reportedly deteriorated in prison.His medical condition is unclear, but his health reportedly deteriorated in prison.
One of the world's poorest countries, Niger faces a growing jihadist threat and was attacked by militants from al-Qaeda and Boko Haram on Thursday.One of the world's poorest countries, Niger faces a growing jihadist threat and was attacked by militants from al-Qaeda and Boko Haram on Thursday.
In February's first round, Mr Issoufou got 48% of the vote while Mr Amadou came second with 17%.In February's first round, Mr Issoufou got 48% of the vote while Mr Amadou came second with 17%.
Niger election explainedNiger election explained
More about NigerMore about Niger
Zanzibar boycottZanzibar boycott
Security is tight in Zanzibar after violent protests over recent elections. Security was tight in Zanzibar after violent protests over recent elections.
The BBC's Tulanana Bohela reports that there are not many voters in the polling stations she has visited. The BBC's Tulanana Bohela reports that there were not many voters in the polling stations she visited.
The opposition Civic United Front (CUF) has urged its supporters to boycott the poll. The opposition Civic United Front (CUF) had urged its supporters to boycott the poll.
October's election was cancelled after CUF candidate Seif Sharif Hamad declared himself the winner before results were officially announced.October's election was cancelled after CUF candidate Seif Sharif Hamad declared himself the winner before results were officially announced.
CUF says the annulment was because it had won, while the electoral commission said there had been widespread fraud.CUF says the annulment was because it had won, while the electoral commission said there had been widespread fraud.
With the CUF boycotting, President Ali Mohamed Shein of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi, which is in power across Tanzania, looks set to be re-elected.With the CUF boycotting, President Ali Mohamed Shein of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi, which is in power across Tanzania, looks set to be re-elected.
As the polls closed, election official Salum Kassim Ali said he had not "received any big complaints. The vote counting is underway and the results will be out as soon as possible, and within 72 hours".As the polls closed, election official Salum Kassim Ali said he had not "received any big complaints. The vote counting is underway and the results will be out as soon as possible, and within 72 hours".
More about ZanzibarMore about Zanzibar
Senegal's presidential term limitsSenegal's presidential term limits
The new constitution being voted on in Senegal would cut presidential mandates from seven to five years and would not allow a president to run for more than two consecutive terms in office.The new constitution being voted on in Senegal would cut presidential mandates from seven to five years and would not allow a president to run for more than two consecutive terms in office.
The BBC's Maud Jullien in Dakar says it is an unusual move on a continent where many leaders are trying to extend their time in office as much as possible.The BBC's Maud Jullien in Dakar says it is an unusual move on a continent where many leaders are trying to extend their time in office as much as possible.
It may serve to boost Senegal's image abroad as a strong democracy, but, locally, the referendum has prompted some criticism, she says.It may serve to boost Senegal's image abroad as a strong democracy, but, locally, the referendum has prompted some criticism, she says.
President Macky Sall's critics say he had promised to reduce his current term but is not doing so and the new constitution, if passed, would only affect future presidential terms.President Macky Sall's critics say he had promised to reduce his current term but is not doing so and the new constitution, if passed, would only affect future presidential terms.
Our reporter says the referendum has become a popularity test for the president rather than a debate on the issues at stake.Our reporter says the referendum has become a popularity test for the president rather than a debate on the issues at stake.
The new constitution proposes 14 other changes, including:The new constitution proposes 14 other changes, including:
Benin 'a model for Africa'Benin 'a model for Africa'
Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou, a former investment banker, faces Patrice Talon, the "king of cotton" in a presidential run-off.Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou, a former investment banker, faces Patrice Talon, the "king of cotton" in a presidential run-off.
President Thomas Boni Yayi is standing down after serving two terms in office.President Thomas Boni Yayi is standing down after serving two terms in office.
A tight race is expected after Mr Zinsou gained 28% in the first round, just ahead of Mr Talon's 25%.A tight race is expected after Mr Zinsou gained 28% in the first round, just ahead of Mr Talon's 25%.
As he cast his vote, Mr Zinsou said the campaign had been "dignified, calm and peaceful. A model for Africa".As he cast his vote, Mr Zinsou said the campaign had been "dignified, calm and peaceful. A model for Africa".
He said he hoped the country would stay peaceful on the day of the vote and the coming days.He said he hoped the country would stay peaceful on the day of the vote and the coming days.
Mr Talon used to be a close ally of President Boni Yayi but was accused of masterminding a plot to poison him in 2012.Mr Talon used to be a close ally of President Boni Yayi but was accused of masterminding a plot to poison him in 2012.
He fled to France but returned last year after receiving a presidential pardon.He fled to France but returned last year after receiving a presidential pardon.
More about BeninMore about Benin
Cape Verde's legislative electionCape Verde's legislative election
The African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) and the Movement for Democracy (MFD) have dominated politics since independence from Portugal in 1975.The African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV) and the Movement for Democracy (MFD) have dominated politics since independence from Portugal in 1975.
President Jorge Carlos Fonseca is from the MFD, while Prime Minister Jose Maria Neves is from PAICV.President Jorge Carlos Fonseca is from the MFD, while Prime Minister Jose Maria Neves is from PAICV.
More about Cape VerdeMore about Cape Verde