Voters in the west African state of Guinea-Bissau went to the polls yesterday to choose a new president in a run-off aimed at ending years of instability in one of the world's poorest countries.
The second-round poll pits two former presidents -- ruling party standard-bearer Malam Bacai Sanha against independent Joao Bernardo "Nino" Vieira.
Despite fears of violence after a tense run-up to the poll, voting got off to peaceful start in the capital Bissau where dozens of voters were seen at daybreak waiting outside a central polling station at a school.
Another central Bissau polling station set up in a hotel had all its electoral material ready by 4am, three hours before it was needed when polling opened at 7am.
In Quelees, a northern suburb of the capital, polling stations opened on time and voters, the majority of them women, were queuing up to cast their ballots.
The election comes eight days after an armed attack on government buildings that left two policemen dead and several injured, in which "Nino" supporters have been accused of involvement.
Twenty suspects have been arrested for the July 16 attacks but there has been no official word on what motivated them.
The head of the national electoral commission toured the polling booths early yesterday appealing for calm and respect for the process.
Aladji Malam Mane said some individuals had attempted to tell voters whom to vote for "which is formally banned."
Prime Minister Carlos Gomes who cast his ballot early also urged people to do their civic duty.
"I want this vote to bring a better future for Guinea-Bissau. I ask also the two candidates to respect the results," he said.
African Union chairman Olusegun Obasanjo, president of Nigeria, urged voters on Friday to "Respect the ideals of democracy" while Economic Community of West African States Executive Secretary Mohamed Ibn Chambas said his organization expected the poll to proceed peacefully.
"We feel very pleased about the preparations for the second round of the elections and frankly we expect that the things will go as well as they did in the first round," Chambas said.
"We are satisfied that both candidates have been very responsible," he said.
"Nino", who was chased from power after 19 years of iron-fisted rule in 1999, returned from exile to great fanfare in April.
Deposed president Kumba Yala -- who was ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2003 -- came in third among 13 candidates in the June 19 first round poll and has decided to back "Nino" in the second round.
His ouster ushered in the 22-month transition period to be capped by yesterday's vote.
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