ADVERTISEMENT

Polls open amid tight security

Plain-clothes policemen stood vigil at booths early in the day while anti-riot police took positions at street corners to check vehicle permits amid tight security measures.

A man casts his vote at a polling station during a presidential election in Conakry, Guinea October 11, 2015. REUTERS/Luc Gnago

Long lines formed in front of guarded polling booths across Guinea on Sunday as the West African country voted in its second free election in nearly 60 years since independence.

Guinea -- Africa's leading producer of bauxite, the raw material for aluminium -- has a history of election violence linked to ethnic tensions, including in a 2010 vote that brought President Alpha Conde to power.

The streets were calm in the capital Conakry on Sunday after clashes this week between security forces and supporters of rival parties that left several dead and dozens injured.

"I am happy to have voted. I hope everyone does it in peace and that all goes smoothly," said Mamadouba Camara, the first voter in polling station No. 5.

ADVERTISEMENT

But voters in the opposition neighbourhood of Hamdallaye complained that they had not received voting materials by around 0800 GMT while some officials had not yet arrived there.

Conde is widely expected to win a second mandate, though analysts expect the results to be close enough to require a second round. His opponents including main rival Cellou Dalein Diallo had sought a postponement of the vote, citing irregularities.

But in an attempt to defuse tensions between his mostly ethnic Peuhl supporters and those drawn from Conde's Malinke community, Diallo said on Saturday he would participate in the presidential election.

United Nations Secretary General Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon late on Saturday deplored the recent violence and called for political leaders to resolve disagreements through dialogue.

Conde's campaign, whose slogan is "progress is on the march", has championed infrastructure projects to improve power supply in the poor, former French colony.

ADVERTISEMENT

However, opponents have sought to capitalise on his shortcomings such as the nearly two-year-old battle against the Ebola virus and declining investment in the mining sector.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Aiyedatiwa sends 12 commissioner nominees to Ondo Assembly for confirmation

Aiyedatiwa sends 12 commissioner nominees to Ondo Assembly for confirmation

Woman saves animal from the streets — then she finds out it is something else

Woman saves animal from the streets — then she finds out it is something else

Alake calls on Badaru to fish out illegal miners, violators of mining laws

Alake calls on Badaru to fish out illegal miners, violators of mining laws

Divers find bodies of 2 people who drowned after Baltimore bridge collapsed

Divers find bodies of 2 people who drowned after Baltimore bridge collapsed

INEC rejects LP's National convention in Anambra, questions venue change

INEC rejects LP's National convention in Anambra, questions venue change

8 people including professor declared wanted over killing of 17 soldiers

8 people including professor declared wanted over killing of 17 soldiers

INEC to publish credentials of 17 Edo governorship candidates on Saturday

INEC to publish credentials of 17 Edo governorship candidates on Saturday

Hardship: Abiodun to begin sale of rice to Ogun residents at 50% discount

Hardship: Abiodun to begin sale of rice to Ogun residents at 50% discount

Labour Party offers Peter Obi 2027 presidential ticket unopposed

Labour Party offers Peter Obi 2027 presidential ticket unopposed

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT