Voters head to polls in C. African Republic for stability

The peacekeepers were called in to protect the polls after a constutional referendum earlier this month was marred by violence.

In 2013, mainly Muslim Seleka rebels seized power from the government of former President Francois Bozize, fueling reprisals from Christian anti-balaka militias.

United Nations peacekeepers keep a watchful eye on proceedings at a polling centre as the Central African Republic (CAR) voted in presidential and legislative elections.

Even so, many people in Bangui said they hoped the election would bring change to the country, ruled since May 2014 by interim President Catherine Samba-Panza.

“I’m pleased Bozize is gone, now we need a president that can allow our country to re-find its place”, Igor Brice Yandia, an ex-Seleka fighter said from Bria, the heart of the Seleka rebellion and one of the poorest parts of the country.

According to the latest United Nations estimates, the conflict in the auto has internally displaced some 400,000 people and forced more than 460,000 to flee to neighboring countries.

A runoff election, which is likely, will be conducted January 30 if no candidate receives a majority of the vote Wednesday. Thousands in Central African Republic’s capital voted Wednesday in national elections with ho…

Leading presidential candidates include former prime ministers Anicet-Georges Dologuele and Martin Ziguele, who received a boost on Tuesday when anti-balaka militias who have formed the Central African Party of Unity and Development said they would support his candidacy. It is finally a chance for the ordinary people of Central African Republic to re-establish their country’s reputation for stability and democracy. “But this time the will of the people must not be hijacked”, he said.

The Head of the African Union Election Observation Mission, Souleymane Ndene Ndiaye, noted a maximum number of people came to vote.

He and the thousands of others waiting on a dirt road in the heat of the sun proudly placed their votes in a clear plastic box with a red top, closely overseen by poll workers in bright yellow vests. “We understand that this election in the Central African Republic is happening after a series of violence in the country; but, we hope that whomever is elected as the next president of the Central African Republic will ensure further stability in that richly endowed country that has been pillaged and has suffered over a period of time”.

The National Election Authority will announce the preliminary results in the coming days.