Equatorial Guinea declares mandate

Less than 2,500 people voted against constitutional reforms spelled out by the government of Equatorial Guinea, a statement from the election board said. The government of Equatorial Guinea touted a weekend vote for constitutional reform as an overwhelming success. It claimed that of all the 230,930 eligible voters, only around 2,200 votes cast were against the measure. Clemente Engonga Nguema Onguene, the country's internal affairs minister and chairman of the National Electoral Board, said the vote was carried out in the most transparent and inclusive way possible. "This procedure was done to represent the government's transparency," he said in a statement. Critics, however, complain the measure only strengthens the role of an executive branch in a country known for political favoritism among family members of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. The Washington-based group Equatorial Guinea Justice noted that opposition leader Marcial Abaga Barril was held without a warrant in connection with a murder charge. He was released last week because of what the government said was a "lack of evidence." On the constitutional reforms, the group said "the situation remains unchanged." The legal system, EG Justice says, is based largely on favoritism and gives the president authority to appoint key legislative and judicial authorities without parliamentary approval.