Congo bans phone communication during election

The government of Congo-Brazzaville has ordered telephone operators to cut all communications – telephone, text messages and the internet during the country’s presidential election.

Raymond Mboulou, interior minister, gave the order, saying only a few official numbers have been excluded from the ban.

Mboulou said the action was to prevent “illegal publication of results” of the election, which is a keen contest between incumbent President Denis Sassou Nguesso, who has been in power since 1979, and Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko, a retired general.

The constitution was changed after an October referendum to remove term and age limits which would have prevented Sassou, 72, from standing again.

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.