Elections are being held in five African countries, while Senegal is holding a referendum on reducing presidential terms.
A presidential run-off is going ahead in Niger even though the opposition candidate is in a French hospital.
Congo-Brazzaville has cut all telecommunications for two days to prevent prevent "illegal publication of results" of its presidential election.
Elections are also being held in Benin, Cape Verde and Zanzibar.
Congolese Interior Minister Raymond Mboulou has ordered telephone operators to cut all communications - telephone, text messages and the internet.
Only a few official numbers have been excluded from the ban.
The government also outlawed the use of motor vehicles nationwide during the vote, except for those with special permits, reports the Reuters news agency.
The opposition has condemned the communications blackout, saying it will prevent election monitors from doing their job, and warned of rigging.
General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko is seen as the strongest challenger to President Denis Sassou Nguesso.
Mr Sassou Nguesso has been in power since 1979, except for a five-year period after losing elections in 1992.
The constitution was changed after an October referendum to remove term and age limits which would have prevented the 72-year-old from standing again.
The opposition in Niger has called for a boycott alleging fraud.
President Muhamadou Issoufou is expected to win a second term in the vote against former prime minister and parliamentary speaker Hama Amadou.
Mr Amadou was jailed in November on baby-trafficking charges, which he denies. He was flown to Paris last week for medical treatment.
His medical condition is unclear, but his health reportedly deteriorated in prison.
One of the world's poorest countries, Niger faces a growing jihadist threat and was attacked by militants from al-Qaeda and Boko Haram on Thursday.
In February's first round, Mr Issoufou got 48% of the vote while Mr Amadou came second with 17%.
Source: BBC
A presidential run-off is going ahead in Niger even though the opposition candidate is in a French hospital.
Congo-Brazzaville has cut all telecommunications for two days to prevent prevent "illegal publication of results" of its presidential election.
Elections are also being held in Benin, Cape Verde and Zanzibar.
Congolese Interior Minister Raymond Mboulou has ordered telephone operators to cut all communications - telephone, text messages and the internet.
Only a few official numbers have been excluded from the ban.
The government also outlawed the use of motor vehicles nationwide during the vote, except for those with special permits, reports the Reuters news agency.
The opposition has condemned the communications blackout, saying it will prevent election monitors from doing their job, and warned of rigging.
General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko is seen as the strongest challenger to President Denis Sassou Nguesso.
Mr Sassou Nguesso has been in power since 1979, except for a five-year period after losing elections in 1992.
The constitution was changed after an October referendum to remove term and age limits which would have prevented the 72-year-old from standing again.
The opposition in Niger has called for a boycott alleging fraud.
President Muhamadou Issoufou is expected to win a second term in the vote against former prime minister and parliamentary speaker Hama Amadou.
Mr Amadou was jailed in November on baby-trafficking charges, which he denies. He was flown to Paris last week for medical treatment.
His medical condition is unclear, but his health reportedly deteriorated in prison.
One of the world's poorest countries, Niger faces a growing jihadist threat and was attacked by militants from al-Qaeda and Boko Haram on Thursday.
In February's first round, Mr Issoufou got 48% of the vote while Mr Amadou came second with 17%.
Source: BBC
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