Congo leader has strong lead in relection bid: partial results
Incumbent Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso casts his ballot at a polling station during presidential elections in Brazzaville on March 20, 2016. By Marco Longari (AFP/File)
Brazzaville (AFP) - Congo's veteran leader Denis Sassou Nguesso has secured 67 percent of votes in his bid to extend his 32-year-old rule over the oil-rich nation, partial results showed Tuesday.
The tense weekend vote followed a controversial October constitutional referendum that ended a two-term limit on presidential mandates, allowing the 72-year-old former paratrooper colonel to run for office again.
The results covered 69 percent of the total electorate, the electoral commission said.