<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/guinea-president-replaces-security-minister-following-deadly-protests-261516">Guinea&nbsp;President&nbsp;Alpha Conde</a> said on Thursday that he would seek a public&nbsp;referendum&nbsp;on a new constitution, a move his opponents fear he will use as a pretext to hang onto&nbsp;power&nbsp;beyond the end of his&nbsp;constitutional&nbsp;mandate.

Conde has governed since 2010, and his second and final five-year term finishes next year. Demonstrations since October against a possible&nbsp;constitutional&nbsp;change have resulted in at least 14 deaths across the country.

The opposition suspects 81-year-old Conde plans to use a new constitution as a reset button on the current two-term limit. A proposed draft for a new constitution, seen by Reuters, does not explicitly state whether Conde would be eligible for the 2020 election, but Conde has refused to rule out running.

In a televised address on Thursday evening, Conde said the&nbsp;presidents of the National Assembly and the&nbsp;constitutional&nbsp;court had signed off on the proposal, which was drafted by a special commission.

"This proposal will be the subject of a broad public outreach campaign before its adoption by the sovereign people," he said, without specifying when the&nbsp;referendum&nbsp;would take place.

Conde says a new constitution is needed to replace the 2010 version, which he says was hastily drafted in an efforts to end coup leader Dadis Camara's brief tenure.

Conde's election victory in 2010 raised hopes for democratic progress in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-urges-justice-for-guinea-stadium-massacre-ten-years-on-252601">Guinea&nbsp;after decades</a> of authoritarian rule. But his critics accuse&nbsp;him&nbsp;of cracking down on dissent and violently repressing protests - charges he denies.

Guinea President Alpha Conde said on Thursday that he would seek a public referendum on a new constitution, a move his opponents fear he will use as a pretext to hang onto power beyond the end of his constitutional mandate.

Guinea President Alpha Conde said on Thursday that he would seek a public referendum on a new constitution, a move his opponents fear he will use as a pretext to hang onto power beyond the end of his constitutional mandate. Conde has governed since 2010, and his second and final five-year term finishes next year. Demonstrations since October against a possible constitutional change have resulted in at least 14 deaths across the country. The opposition suspects 81-year-old Conde plans to use a new constitution as a reset button on the current two-term limit. A proposed draft for a new constitution, seen by Reuters, does not explicitly state whether Conde would be eligible for the 2020 election, but Conde has refused to rule out running. In a televised address on Thursday evening, Conde said the presidents of the National Assembly and the constitutional court had signed off on the proposal, which was drafted by a special commission. "This proposal will be the subject of a broad public outreach campaign before its adoption by the sovereign people," he said, without specifying when the referendum would take place. Conde says a new constitution is needed to replace the 2010 version, which he says was hastily drafted in an efforts to end coup leader Dadis Camara's brief tenure. Conde's election victory in 2010 raised hopes for democratic progress in Guinea after decades of authoritarian rule. But his critics accuse him of cracking down on dissent and violently repressing protests - charges he denies.

Guinea president announces constitutional referendum that could keep him in power

Egyptians voted on Sunday for a second day on whether to back constitutional amendments that could see President <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/egyptians-vote-in-referendum-to-extend-president-sisis-rule-211955&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj2u4XM8uLhAhUD3Y8KHZlYDfcQFggLMAI&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw2ebz_2p93OwHAbYqAvxNIo">Abdel Fattah al-Sisi </a>stay in power until 2030.

The three-day referendum was called last week, a day after Egypt's parliament overwhelmingly endorsed the proposals, which would also bolster the role of the military and expand the president's power over judicial appointments.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/egypt-opposition-urges-people-to-reject-sisi-amendment-211713&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj2u4XM8uLhAhUD3Y8KHZlYDfcQFggOMAM&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0MMR0kLfxRMpF8d1QK8_fM">Sisi</a>'s supporters argue that he has stabilised Egypt and needs more time to reform the economy, but critics say they fear that the changes will stifle debate.

While the changes are expected to pass, observers say the turnout will be a test of Sisi's popularity, which has been dented by austerity measures since 2016. He was re-elected last year with 97 per cent of the votes.

An election commission spokesman said voter turnout on the first day was good, but he declined to give figures since disclosing partial results violates Egyptian law.

"The crowding that we see (at polling stations) indicates that all classes of people have participated," Mahmoud el-Sherif told a news conference.

A Reuters reporter saw voters receiving vouchers for groceries after leaving a central Cairo polling station, which they then exchanged for packages of cooking oil, pasta sugar and tea at a nearby charity.

It was not immediately possible to verify who was distributing the food.

Sherif said that the commission was monitoring the vote for any violations, which he said could constitute "electoral crimes".

"The commission has received no notifications or complaints of this kind so far," Sherif told Reuters.

The election commission says it has strict measures to ensure a fair and free vote, posting judges at each polling station and using special ink to prevent multiple voting.

If approved, the amendments would extend Sisi's current term to six years from four and allow him to run again for a third six-year term in 2024.

They would also grant the president control over appointing head judges and the public prosecutor from a pool of candidates, and give Egypt's powerful military the role of protecting "the constitution and democracy".

Proponents of the changes have argued that Sisi, a former army chief, came to power with a huge mandate after mass protests in 2013 against Islamist President Mohamed Mursi's one year in office. With the economy improving, they say Sisi deserves more time to build on reforms.

Those who oppose the proposals say a central promise of the 2011 uprising that toppled then-President Hosni Mubarak is at risk: the principle of the peaceful transfer of power.

Some 61 million of Egypt's nearly 100 million population are eligible to vote. The result is expected within five days of the final day of voting. 
&nbsp;

Egyptians voted on Sunday for a second day on whether to back constitutional amendments that could see President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stay in power until 2030. The three-day referendum was called last week, a day after Egypt's parliament overwhelmingly endorsed the proposals, which would also bolster the role of the military and expand the president's power over judicial appointments.

Egyptians voted on Sunday for a second day on whether to back constitutional amendments that could see President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stay in power until 2030. The three-day referendum was called last week, a day after Egypt's parliament overwhelmingly endorsed the proposals, which would also bolster the role of the military and expand the president's power over judicial appointments. Sisi's supporters argue that he has stabilised Egypt and needs more time to reform the economy, but critics say they fear that the changes will stifle debate. While the changes are expected to pass, observers say the turnout will be a test of Sisi's popularity, which has been dented by austerity measures since 2016. He was re-elected last year with 97 per cent of the votes. An election commission spokesman said voter turnout on the first day was good, but he declined to give figures since disclosing partial results violates Egyptian law. "The crowding that we see (at polling stations) indicates that all classes of people have participated," Mahmoud el-Sherif told a news conference. A Reuters reporter saw voters receiving vouchers for groceries after leaving a central Cairo polling station, which they then exchanged for packages of cooking oil, pasta sugar and tea at a nearby charity. It was not immediately possible to verify who was distributing the food. Sherif said that the commission was monitoring the vote for any violations, which he said could constitute "electoral crimes". "The commission has received no notifications or complaints of this kind so far," Sherif told Reuters. The election commission says it has strict measures to ensure a fair and free vote, posting judges at each polling station and using special ink to prevent multiple voting. If approved, the amendments would extend Sisi's current term to six years from four and allow him to run again for a third six-year term in 2024. They would also grant the president control over appointing head judges and the public prosecutor from a pool of candidates, and give Egypt's powerful military the role of protecting "the constitution and democracy". Proponents of the changes have argued that Sisi, a former army chief, came to power with a huge mandate after mass protests in 2013 against Islamist President Mohamed Mursi's one year in office. With the economy improving, they say Sisi deserves more time to build on reforms. Those who oppose the proposals say a central promise of the 2011 uprising that toppled then-President Hosni Mubarak is at risk: the principle of the peaceful transfer of power. Some 61 million of Egypt's nearly 100 million population are eligible to vote. The result is expected within five days of the final day of voting.

Egyptians vote for second day in referendum on keeping Sisi in power

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi cast his vote on Saturday as polls opened in a referendum on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/egypts-parliament-backs-measures-that-could-extend-sisis-term-until-2030-211047">constitutional amendments</a> that would extend his rule.

Sisi cast his ballot at a polling station in the eastern Cairo suburb of Heliopolis, state television showed.

His supporters say the changes are necessary to give him more time to complete major development projects and economic reforms, but critics argue they concentrate more powers in Sisi's hands and return Egypt to an authoritarian model.

Egypt's 596-member parliament is dominated by Sisi's supporters and the changes are <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/egypt-opposition-urges-people-to-reject-sisi-amendment-211713">widely expected to pass</a>.

The referendum bucks the trend of the region's mini-Arab Spring, in which mass pro-democracy protests this month swept away veteran presidents in Algeria and Sudan.

Sisi made his grab for power in the turbulent years after the original Arab Spring protests of 2011 toppled long-time ruler Hosni Mubarak, who was followed in office by Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

Sisi overthrew Morsi in 2013 and the following year won his first term as president. He was re-elected in March 2018 with more than 97 per cent of the vote after standing virtually unopposed.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi cast his vote on Saturday as polls opened in a referendum on constitutional amendments that would extend his rule. Sisi cast his ballot at a polling station in the eastern Cairo suburb of Heliopolis, state television showed.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi cast his vote on Saturday as polls opened in a referendum on constitutional amendments that would extend his rule. Sisi cast his ballot at a polling station in the eastern Cairo suburb of Heliopolis, state television showed. His supporters say the changes are necessary to give him more time to complete major development projects and economic reforms, but critics argue they concentrate more powers in Sisi's hands and return Egypt to an authoritarian model. Egypt's 596-member parliament is dominated by Sisi's supporters and the changes are widely expected to pass. The referendum bucks the trend of the region's mini-Arab Spring, in which mass pro-democracy protests this month swept away veteran presidents in Algeria and Sudan. Sisi made his grab for power in the turbulent years after the original Arab Spring protests of 2011 toppled long-time ruler Hosni Mubarak, who was followed in office by Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. Sisi overthrew Morsi in 2013 and the following year won his first term as president. He was re-elected in March 2018 with more than 97 per cent of the vote after standing virtually unopposed.

Egyptian President Sisi votes as polling begins in referendum to extend his presidential term

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Saturday that &quot;necessary constitutional amendments&quot; will have to be made to &quot;assimilate&quot;&nbsp;the people of Jammu and Kashmir into India.&nbsp;

Bhagwat was speaking at RSS headquarters in Nagpur on the occasion of Dussehra.&nbsp;

&quot;Necessary constitutional amendments will have to be made and old provisions will have to be changed in that state. Only when the constitutional amendments are done, the residents of Jammu and Kashmir can be completely assimilated with the rest of India,&quot; PTI reported Bhagwat as saying.

Bhagwat, who spoke for over an hour, said there was a need to take the benefits of development to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;

He also added that the problem of refugees in Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been solved.&nbsp;

PTI reported him as saying that for decades, they are living in miserable conditions as refugees for their decision to be in &quot;Bharat&quot;.

Also read --&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rohingyas-will-be-threat-to-nations-security-mohan-bhagwat-20849" target="_blank">RSS chief on Rohingya: Why have they come here? Why can&#39;t they live there?</a>

&nbsp;

Bhagwat was speaking at RSS headquarters in Nagpur on the occasion of Dussehra

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Saturday that "necessary constitutional amendments" will have to be made to "assimilate" the people of Jammu and Kashmir into India. Bhagwat was speaking at RSS headquarters in Nagpur on the occasion of Dussehra. "Necessary constitutional amendments will have to be made and old provisions will have to be changed in that state. Only when the constitutional amendments are done, the residents of Jammu and Kashmir can be completely assimilated with the rest of India," PTI reported Bhagwat as saying. Bhagwat, who spoke for over an hour, said there was a need to take the benefits of development to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He also added that the problem of refugees in Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been solved. PTI reported him as saying that for decades, they are living in miserable conditions as refugees for their decision to be in "Bharat". Also read -- RSS chief on Rohingya: Why have they come here? Why can't they live there?

RSS chief: Constitutional amendments necessary to assimilate Jammu and Kashmir into India

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