The people of Burundi are voting on whether to accept a new constitution designed to share power and end war between ethnic Hutus and Tutsis.
Enthusiasm for the election, the first since civil-war broker out in 1993, is sky high with long lines of voters having started to form from as early as dawn.
'Burundi is marking a very important step in its history. We are leaving a dark period of conflict and moving towards a new era of democracy,' said President Domitien Ndayizeye.
United Nations election monitors reported a substantial early turnout, with the fairer sex particularly well represented.
The new constitution is a compromise between an elite from the Tutsi minority, who have held power since independence, and Hutu political parties and rebel groups.
Tutsis, who make up 15% of the population, will have 40% of seats in the national assembly, compared to 60% for Hutus.
The two ethnic groups will have an equal share of the army and of the senate.
The deal has been enough to encourage all but one of the Hutu rebel groups to lay down their arms and Hutu-based parties are urging a yes vote in the referendum.
Andrew Zilouf
Burundi in Landmark-Vote
Burundis vote in the first post-war election.
