Liberians vote in contentious referendum

AFP - Liberians began voting Tuesday in a constitutional referendum, which opposition parties have fiercely opposed as it comes just weeks before the nation's second post-war presidential election.

"Everything has started smoothly, our centres are open throughout the country, there has been no delay and no report of any incident," National Electoral Commission spokesman Bobby Livingstone told AFP.

At the Betthel Church in Congotown in the capital, an AFP journalist confirmed that voting had started on time at 8H00GMT, however no long queues had formed.

Some 1.8 million Liberians have registered to vote in the referendum which asks citizens to vote 'yes' or 'no' to four constitutional law changes.

Opposition parties have criticised the referendum as it could change the election date and candidacy requirements in the midst of campaigning for presidential and legislative elections on October 11.

The electoral commission hired 58 trucks, 209 pick-ups, 112 motorbikes, 68 canoes and two helicopters to fan out across the country to distribute election material to the 4,457 polling stations.

The polls are due to close at 18H00GMT, however voters in queues prior to the close will be allowed to cast their votes.

Some 1,900 police officers have been deployed around the country during the vote.