Guinea has closed its border with Senegal and Guinea-Bissau ahead of the general elections, a government official has been quoted as saying by AFP news agency.

The official said the closure was for security reasons, AFP reports.

Guinea-Bissau's Interior Minister, Botche Cande, said the border had been closed since Sunday but his Guinean counterpart did not confirm this.

Guinea's President Alpha Condé is seeking a controversial third term in the 18 October general elections.

The president is taking advantage of a new constitution to circumvent a two-term presidential limit.