Abidjan - Authorities in Ivory Coast said voting in yesterday's constitutional referendum would go into a second day after organisational chaos raised temperatures and fed allegations of sabotage.
The authorities, acknowledging logistical shortcomings, extended voting on a new constitution to return the country to civilian rule and declared today a public holiday.
Military ruler, Gen Robert Guei (58), who voted early and has been pushing for a Yes vote, blamed unnamed saboteurs.
"There has been hidden sabotage. Just who is responsible, I can't say," Gen Guei told angry voters who complained that they had not been able to cast their ballot. The new constitution will pave the way for democratic elections, ending a period of military rule since a coup last December that ousted President Henri Konan Bedie.