CAR a step closer to voting outcome

After a dramatic build up but peaceful December the 30th election in the Central Africa Republic, the vote counting has now begun.

The latest date after repeated postponements due to violence was set for the 27th of December. But that day also had to be pushed back to allow officials deal with technical and organisational difficulties.

Thirty candidates are competing in the presidential election, a major milestone in the transition to democracy.

Former prime ministers Anicet-Georges Dologuele and Martin Ziguele are amongst vying for the presidency. Ziguele got a thumbs up just before the elections from anti-balaka militias who have formed the Central African Party of Unity and Development, saying they would support his candidacy.

“ A few irregularities had been noticed, such as the absence of legislative election ballots in some polling stations and the absence of candidate representatives in others,” said the National Authority for Elections in a statement

A re-run for the National Assembly will take place in some areas because ballot papers failed to arrive. The date has not yet been set

Mainly Muslim rebels known as the Seleka seized power in the majority Christian nation in early 2013, provoking reprisals from Christian anti-balaka militias. Leaders have since fuelled a cycle of religious and inter-communal killings.