The 2002 constitution provided for a strong executive presidency, without a prime minister, and weakened the legislature; the length of presidential terms was increased to seven years (with a limit of two terms),[1][2] and an age limit of 70 years for presidential candidates was established, apparently to exclude Sassou Nguesso's most important political opponents, who had either reached that age or were nearing it.

As the end of Sassou Nguesso's second term approached, and he passed the age limit of 70 years, the ruling Congolese Labour Party (PCT) promoted public discussion of the idea of replacing the 2002 constitution.

Speaking at the rally, the Secretary-General of the Congolese Party of Labour (PCT), Pierre Ngolo, declared that "this human tide simply wants to say that changing the constitution is the will of the people, and as such no one can stop it.

Hardline opponents of the referendum planned to boycott the vote, viewing it as nothing more than a way for Sassou Nguesso to remain in power, and said they would continue protesting.

Paul-Marie Mpouele, leader of an opposition coalition, the Republican Front for the Respect of Constitutional Order and Democracy (FROCAD), urged people to oppose the referendum but also refrain from violence.

Meanwhile, security forces surrounded the home of Guy Brice Parfait Kolélas, leader of the opposition Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development (MCDDI), who had been involved in the protests earlier in the week.

[10] When the referendum was held on 25 October, turnout in the cities was reportedly low, although support for the change was apparently overwhelming among those who showed up to vote.

Voting in Brazzaville, Sassou Nguesso said that "we want change in order to have a constitution of the future", rejecting the opposition's claim that the true purpose of the referendum was to keep him in power.

However, Pascal Tsaty Mabiala, the leader of the main opposition party, the Pan-African Union for Social Democracy, argued on 26 October that the referendum was "totally discredited" due to low turnout and that as a result it should be annulled.

[13] Raymond Mboulou, the Minister of the Interior, announced the results of the referendum on 27 October, stating that the proposal to change the constitution was overwhelmingly approved by voters, with 92.96% in favor.