Vote Counting Begins In Guinean Presidential Poll Amid Tension; The BIG Question: Will Guinea Vote Be Free And Fair?

Counting started at night, as soon as polls closed (Photo: AFP)

Votes are being counted following Sunday's presidential election in Guinea, which went off peacefully. There were seven opposition candidates and some have denounced what they see as irregularities in the President Alpha Condé's strongholds.

BBC reports that they have all been critical of the electoral commission, saying that the electoral roll was not complete and that some people could not find their names.

The candidates are due to hold a press conference later today.

Alpha Condé: "I ask all Guineans... to fulfil their civic duty peacefully and calmly"  Photo: Reuters

Voters in Guinea are electing a president in the west African country's second democratic presidential election since independence in 1958. Seven candidates are competing against President Alpha Condé, who is hoping to win a second term.

His main challenger, Cellou Dalein Diallo, has urged his supporters to vote despite the country's top court rejecting his plea for a delay.

The 2010 election saw a transition from military to civilian rule.

Since then Guinea has been badly hit by an Ebola outbreak and seen prices of key export bauxite - the raw material in aluminium - slump.

Deep ethnic, political and religious tensions persist and can quickly become violent, especially around election time, BBC World Service Africa editor Mary Harper reports.

At least three people were killed in pre-election violence.

Opposition parties had wanted the vote postponed due to alleged anomalies in the country's electoral roll but the election commission rejected the call.

Some of those trying to vote early on Sunday complained that voting materials were not ready.

Mr Condé is favourite to win the election but a second round of voting is likely.

"I ask all Guineans, whatever their party, to fulfil their civic duty peacefully and calmly," Mr Condé said after casting his vote in the capital, Conakry.

Aged 77, he is hoping to capitalize on his victory in the 2010 vote, held after he returned from some three decades in exile, but that election was marred by violence and accusations of fraud.

He promises to consolidate stability and social unity, and promote development.

After voting elsewhere in the capital, Mr Diallo, a former prime minister, said: "We must hope there will not be [violence] after the elections and that the people of Guinea show maturity."

The 63-year-old pledges to prioritize jobs for young people and to give all Guineans "access to health care, decent housing, water, electricity, safety, and justice".

African Union and European Union observers are monitoring the election. The official result is not expected until Monday or Tuesday.