Internet connectivity across the Republic of Congo was disrupted on Sunday as voters cast ballots in a presidential election, global internet watchdog NetBlocks said.

Network data indicated a nation-scale disruption to internet access, the watchdog said on X.

A similar near-total nationwide internet blackout was recorded during the country’s March 2021 presidential election, lasting about three days, according to NetBlocks.

Polls opened at 6 am (0500GMT) in the country’s presidential election and will remain open until 6 pm (1700GMT). More than 2.6 million registered voters aged 18 and above are eligible to cast their ballots.

President Denis Sassou Nguesso seeks re-election

A candidate with an absolute majority will be declared the winner of the elections, or in an unlikely event, a run-off will be called between the two top candidates.

Incumbent President Denis Sassou Nguesso first took power in 1979, lost the 1992 election and went into exile in France before returning in 1997 to seize power in an armed uprising that toppled former Prime Minister Pascal Lissouba.

President Nguesso is seeking a fifth straight term after victories in 2002, 2009, 2016 and 2021, when he won more than 88% of the vote, following 2015 constitutional changes that reset term limits and removed the presidential age cap.

He faces six challengers, including former lawmaker Mabio Mavoungou Zinga and veteran legislator Joseph Kignoumbi Kia Mboungou.