REFILE-UPDATE 3-Low turnout for boycotted Congo Republic vote

* Congo Republic holds presidential vote

* Low turnout but president set for another 7-year term

* Opposition calls for boycott, EU sends no observers

(Refiles to clarify in headline that there is only one election)

By Christian Tsoumou

BRAZZAVILLE, July 12 (Reuters) - Congo Republic voted on Sunday in an election widely expected to give President Denis Sassou-Nguesso another seven years in power, but turnout appeared low after an opposition boycott.

There were no reports of widespread violence, but scuffles were reported between former militia fighters and soldiers in the volatile Pool region, scene of fighting during a 1997-2002 conflict in the central African state.

Investors seeking to diversify the economy in Africa's fifth biggest oil producer are watching to see whether the vote sparks a repeat of the conflict and rows that have marred previous elections and disrupted political and economic stability.

"There have not been big crowds," Roger Bouaka, executive director of Congolese Human Rights Observatory.

"The vote was calm and without any major incident except in the Pool region, where there was disruption in some places."

Congo produces more than 220,000 barrels of crude oil per day but Sassou-Nguesso's critics say that only a small elite has benefited. He is one of three African presidents whose wealth is being investigated by a French judge.

Opposition parties, citing irregularities in voter lists and cards, had called for the vote to be postponed to allow for the creation of a new election commission and the clean up of voter lists, which were a source of complaints during 2002 polls.

The European Union has also already criticised the lack of progress made in Congo since the elections in 2002.

Few took part in demonstrations called by the opposition in the lead up to the vote but there was voter apathy amongst many of the 2.2 million eligible voters.

APATHY