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Guinea: Vote counting continues after legislative elections that could usher in a new level of political stability
Ballot-counting began in some polling stations as soon as voting ended, continuing into the small hours under lamp and torch light in some Conakry centers. Complete provisional results aren’t expected until Wednesday, October 2.
Conde’s main rival Cellou Dalein Diallo said many “anomalies” about which his party had complained had not been corrected – without elaborating – and accused the president’s party of trying to “cheat”.
Problems were reported in several polling stations in Conakry and in the regions, with heavy storms keeping voters away.
Some centers stayed open beyond the official cut-off time to complete 10 hours of voting. But many stations in the capital Conakry, reported healthy crowds as the polls opened amid tight security.
One of the poorest countries in the region despite its vast potential for mineral exploitation, Guinea was run by a succession of autocratic rulers after gaining independence.
A military junta took control in December 2008 at the death of president Lansana Conte, who had seized power in a coup 24 years earlier. In 2010, civilian rule was ushered in after a transition period and an election.
The president, Alpha Conde, leads the Rally of the Guinean People party and claims to espouse socialism while his main rival, Cellou Dalein Diallo, heads the centrist liberal Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea.
Copyright 2013 AFP
