Niamey, 04 Aug-(ANA)-Niger is holding a referendum to decide on President Mamadou Tandja's divisive plan to change the constitution and run for a third term in office.
Opposition groups are urging voters to boycott the poll and the EU and UN have expressed concern at Mr Tandja's plans.
Some opposition supporters have also been arrested in Dosso in the east, after being accused of trying to disrupt the poll.
The president has dissolved both parliament and the constitutional court to push through the referendum.
His backers say he has boosted living standards during 10 years in power and deserves to remain in office.
The president says he needs more time to complete multi-billion-dollar projects such as a uranium mine, an oil refinery and a dam on the River Niger.
State media has been calling on voters to say "Yes" to changing the constitution so the 71-year-old president can stay in office.(ANA)
Sudan/Ethiopia