Vote counting under way in CAR
2005-05-10 10:39
Bangui, Central African Republic - Election officials in Central African Republic were counting votes from a presidential runoff that military strongman and coup leader Francois Bozize is favoured to win.
Partial results are expected late on Tuesday, but the official winner of Sunday's poll won't be announced for at least 10 days, said electoral commission chairman Jean Sacko. Officials initially said some results would be released on Monday.
Bozize faced off against former Prime Minister Martin Ziguele in the runoff, which followed a first-round ballot on March 13.
"It is too early to talk about trends, but what we can say is voter turnout is lower than the first round," Sacko said, giving no figures. "We hope to have final results in 10 days."
Many voters in landlocked Central African Republic hope the vote will end an era of army coups and revolts. Ziguele served as prime minister under former President Ange-Felix Patasse, who was toppled by Bozize in March 2003 when his fighters captured the capital Bangui in a hail of machine-gun and mortar fire.
Bozize is hoping a victory will give him the legitimacy his government has lacked.
Millions make their mark in election
In the first round, Bozize won about 43% of the vote, less than the simple majority needed for a victory. Ziguele took 23%, while third place went to former military ruler Andre Kolingba, who garnered 16% and claimed the poll was fraudulent.
Three others who trailed in the initial 11-man race rallied behind Bozize. Many believe their support will give him the edge he needs to win.
About 1.5 million of the impoverished nation's 3.6 million people were registered at 4 000 polling stations nationwide. Voters also cast ballots for 85 seats up for grabs in the 105-seat legislature.
There were no reports of violence or significant fraud.
Bozize toppled the democratically elected Patasse, who now lives in exile in Togo and was barred from running in the election.
Bozize has managed to keep the country relatively calm and set up a transitional government of national unity that brought in some of his opponents.
But many believe soldiers like Bozize - who declared himself president after his guerrillas swept into Bangui - ruined the country.
- AP