Guinea opposition vows to boycott, 'prevent' legislative polls

The opposition in the West African state of Guinea vowed Monday to boycott legislative elections set for February 16 and "prevent" them from taking place, in a dispute focussed on the country's electoral roll.

"We have decided we cannot take part," opposition chief Cellou Dalein Diallo said after meeting with the heads of around 20 opposition groups.

"It's not just a question of boycotting the elections and standing idly by. We will prevent these elections from taking place," he said.

Diallo charged that there had been "massive inclusion of minors" on the electoral lists, while people who had the right to vote had been blocked.

"We cannot accept having an election based on this electoral roll," Diallo said.

Fellow opposition leader Etienne Soropogui, said: "We took an important decision today, which consists of no longer (running against President) Alpha Conde so long as we do not have the conditions for free and transparent elections."