The constitutional change would also require presidential candidates to be exclusively Gabonese, with at least one Gabon- born parent and have a Gabonese spouse. The criterion disqualifies ousted ruler Ali Bongo Ondimba,

Gabon held a referendum on a new constitution on Saturday, a major step towards establishing democratic rule after a coup ousted the Bongo dynasty last year, but some observers fear that the ruling junta may use the process to remain in power.

Gabon extended a night curfew Saturday as it held a referendum on a new constitution the ruling junta says will mark a new chapter after 55 years of dynastic rule in the oil-rich African nation.

Gabon has approved a new constitution following a public referendum, a year after military forces ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba. The new charter seeks to prevent dynastic rule and limit presidential terms,

Authorities in Gabon say voters have overwhelmingly approved a new constitution more than one year after mutinous soldiers overthrew the country’s longtime president and seized power in the oil-rich Central African nation.

Gabon is holding a constitutional referendum on Saturday that could reshape its political system – introducing a seven-year presidential term, renewable once, while abolishing the post of prime minister.

The vote follows a military coup that overthrew the Bongo family, which ruled the central African nation from 1967 to 2023.