The Republic of Congo will hold its presidential election on March 21 , public television said , with President Denis Sassou Nguesso , who has been in power for a total of 36 years , named as his party ’ s candidate .

The defence and security forces will vote on March 17 , enabling them to be deployed on polling day four days later .

It is the first time since the Republic of Congo , also called Congo – Brazzaville , has adopted a two – phase ballot since it introduced multiparty elections in 1992 .

A low – scale effort to update the national electoral roll vote has been underway since January 7 .

But it is being boycotted by the opposition , which says a census known as RGPH that began last year should be the basis for voter registration.

That scheme has yet to finish and has no set end date .

AFP