The turnout in Ivory Coast's referendum on a controversial new constitution was very low, with most people heeding a call to boycott it, the main opposition leader has said, AFP news agency reports.

President Alassane Ouattara should now withdraw the constitution or resign, Pascal Affi Nguessan, the chairman of the Ivorian Popular Front, told AFP.

Mr Ouattara has campaigned for the adoption of the constitution, saying it will end divisions caused in the world's biggest cocoa producer over who is eligible to become president.

The proposed constitution drops the requirement that both parents of a candidate be Ivorian, an issue which was used to prevent Mr Ouattara from running for office until his successful campaign in 2010.

The new constitution would also scrap the age limit of 75 for the presidential candidate, fuelling opposition concerns that the 74-year Mr Ouattara plans to run for office again in the next election.

Vote-counting is expected to end later today or tomorrow.

Source:bbc.com