Burkina Faso citizens vote in 1st election since popular uprising toppled

A man looks through a window as votes are about to be tallied at a polling station in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, November 29, 2015.

The election came after President Blaise Compaore’s resignation in October 2014 amid popular insurrection against his attempt to stand for a new term after 27 years on power.

Hundreds of individuals cast their ballots Sun.in Burkina Faso’s 1st presidential & legislative elections since a very popular rebellion toppled the nation’s longtime leader last yr. Many allege the vote would be the most democratic within the West African nation’s historical past, “cause no incumbent is on the ballot & the presidential guard has-been dissolved”.

During his almost three decades in power, the hometown of Burkina Faso’s ex-president transformed from a dusty village into a fast-growing provincial capital boasting paved roads, a private presidential estate and even a zoo with hippos and giraffes.

Around five million voters went to the polls on Sunday to vote for the president and deputies for the National Assembly.

Despite initiatives to make the country a functional democracy, ex-president Compaore’s party could nonetheless have a strong showing in the legislative election.

A transitional government was put in place until fresh elections could be held. For the first time, I’ll be able to really choose the candidate I want, she said.

The electoral commission said provisional results should be known by Monday evening.

In the race for the presidency are seven of the 14 contenders, who were once close to ousted president Blaise Compaore. And Zephirin Diabre was minister of finance in the 1990’s before stepping down to start an opposition party.

A candidate needs more than 50 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff.

Kaboré’s programme for the youth, women and the elderly is the “best one”, MPP supporter Issoufou Traore told RFI, explaining that he preferred Kaboré’s policies compared to other presidential candidates.

“What the people want is for government officials to bring to an end the turmoil that has engulfed their country for the past year”, he added.