Burkina Faso Holds First Vote Since Popular Uprising

Voters queue before casting their ballots, during elections in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Theo Renaut)

Thousands of people are casting their ballots Sunday in Burkina Faso's first presidential and legislative elections since a popular uprising toppled the nation's longtime leader last year. Many say the vote will be the most democratic in the West African nation's history, because no incumbent is on the ballot and the presidential guard has been dissolved.

Michel Kafando, centre, President of the Transitional Government of Burkina Faso holds up his ballot before casting it during elections in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Theo Renaut)

 "It is a victory for the youth that has expressed its will for change and for real democracy," said transitional President Michel Kafando after casting his vote.

Associated Press report continues:
He also said it was a victory for the about 17 million citizens of Burkina Faso who have waited decades for a democratic vote and called on citizens to avoid violence after results are announced.

A popular uprising in October 2014 forced President Blaise Compaoré to resign after a 27-year rule. A transitional government was put in place, but it was soon at odds with Compaoré's elite presidential guard. The presidential guard staged a coup in September that lasted only a week and caused the election, originally scheduled for October, to be postponed. It was the country's sixth coup since it gained independence from France in 1960.

Michel Kafando, centre, President of the Transitional Government of Burkina Faso, speaks to media after casting his ballot during elections in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Theo Renaut)

Burkina Faso's new electoral code bars presidential candidates who supported Compaoré's bid to change the constitution, although the ex-president's party could have a strong showing in the legislative election.

"We must show that civilians can rule the country, and bring it to normality. We have faced a lot of coups and it is enough," said Roch Marc Christian Kabore, one of the front-runners.

Abdoulaye Sawadogo, an engineer at a road building company, said he hopes the new leader will address issues of employment, health and education.

Cynthia Ohayon, an analyst with the International Crisis Group said the new leader will have a hard time fulfilling voters' hopes.

"The expectations are so high — for change, for justice, for the fight against corruption," Ohayon said.

Some 5.5 million people are registered to vote at more than 17,800 polling stations.

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

More than 17,000 local and foreign observers are expected to monitor the poll, and 25,000 soldiers and police are being deployed.