Guinea-Bissau Holds First Poll Since Coup
By NewsfromAfrica
Voters in Guinea-Bissau went to the polls on Sunday April 14 to elect a new president and parliament. 13 politicians are seeking the presidency, with 15 parties fielding candidates for parliamentary seats.
Among the presidential hopefuls are political heavyweights such as former Finance Minister Jose Mario Vaz running for the dominant African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), and Abel Incada, a member of the Party for Social Renewal (PRS) of former President Kumba Yala, who died last week.
The dark horse, however, could be 50-year-old independent candidate Paulo Gomes, an unusual proposition in a political landscape hitherto dominated by political grandees who made their names during the war of independence.
No major incidents were reported by the close of polls and monitors said they expected a record turnout. The electoral commission said turnout had reached 60 percent by 1430 GMT but did not give more detailed numbers.
Jose Ramos-Horta, UN Special Representative in Guinea-Bissau, told Reuters there had not been any reports of hitches and tensions seen during campaigning.
The PAIGC party machinery makes it likely to secure a majority the 100-seat parliament but Vaz's victory is far from certain because of public anger at traditional parties. Many of the 800 000 registered voters are voting for the first time and are eager to usher in new leadership.
Vaz's candidacy is also tainted by accusations from Bissau's attorney general of involvement in the embezzlement of a $12.5 million grant from Angola, something Vaz denies.
His main challenger is Paulo Gomes, a former World Bank executive and Harvard graduate. Another independent candidate, Nuno Gomes Nabian, the former chair of Bissau's civil aviation agency, has the support of the army.
If no candidate wins an outright majority, a second round will be held between the top two.
The impoverished West African country of 1.6 million is plagued by corruption and cocaine trafficking. It is the first election since a coup in 2012, after which the EU and others suspended aid donations. They hope will bring stability to the West African state two years after a military coup.
No elected president has completed a five-year term in the former Portuguese colony which has become a major transit point for smugglers ferrying cocaine to Europe.
About 80 % of the population depends on cashew farming, but post-election stability could help attract investors to untapped mineral resources including bauxite, phosphate and offshore oil.