Overview

• Polling stations opened Sunday for a constitutional referendum that would replace the transitional charter and allow junta members, including Col. Mamady Doumbouya, to be candidates.
• The draft lengthens the presidential term to seven years, renewable once, and establishes a Senate with one-third of seats appointed by the head of state.
• Key rivals Cellou Dalein Diallo and former president Alpha Condé have called for a boycott as their parties are suspended, while rights groups report arrests, disappearances and outlet closures.
• Authorities deployed about 45,000 security personnel with armored vehicles and helicopters to secure the vote, according to the National Gendarmerie.
• Polls close at 1800 GMT with results expected as early as Tuesday, as a presidential election is currently anticipated in December and S&P recently assigned Guinea a B+ sovereign rating citing elevated tensions.