Peaceful atmosphere, mixed voter turnout at referendum

Voting in a referendum on a revised constitution in Guinea was marked by a peaceful atmosphere and a mixed turnout, a diplomatic source in the Guinean capital, Conakry, told IRIN on Tuesday. In Conakry, Guineans voted peacefully though under heavy military presence. By the end of Sunday's voting, varying degrees of participation had been registered: a high turnout in pro-government areas contrasted with the levels in opposition areas, the source said. Both the source and international media said no major incidents had been reported in the hinterland. However, there were some irregularities and anomalies, including "polling officials who did not know how to count ballots," the diplomat said. The government was expected to start announcing results sometime on Tuesday. Early in October, President Lansana Conte said he was in favour of revising Guinea's constitution, last amended in 1993. Several articles were submitted to voting on Sunday, including Article 24 which, if approved, will extend the presidential term from five years to seven, while there would be no limit to the number of times presidents can run for election. The referendum proposal was condemned by foreign donors and national political leaders and, despite the lack of violence on Sunday, it will impact negatively on Guinea's relationship with donors and the rest of the international community, the Conakry-based diplomat said. "There will be consequences", he predicted.