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. Details by Yinka Oyetade.

Nearly 1 million people are expected to vote. The draft constitution, which proposes sweeping changes that could prevent dynastic rule and transfer of power, needs more than 50% of the votes cast to be adopted.

Should the constitution of Gabon be modified? In a few days, citizens will be able to answer that question in a referendum. Voters will be required to decide on a draft text which gives more powers to the head of state while extending the presidential term in office to 7 years. The new clauses of the constitution will also toughen the eligibility criteria for the supreme office, as FRANCE 24’s team on the ground reports.