Vote counting begins in CAR elections

Voting counting in underway in the Central Africa Republic where voters on Sunday queued to elect a new president.

The election is expected to bring an end to a near four-year-old religious violence which saw the mainly Muslim Seleka rebels topple then President Francois Bozize and return the country to constitutional rule.

Two former Prime Ministers, Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Faustin Archange Touadéra, victors from the first round poll on December 30 contested Sunday’s poll.

Voting ended at 16: 00 local time and was followed by vote counting.

HAPPENING NOW: IRIglobal observes ballot counting at polling station in Bangui #CARElections pic.twitter.com/NU8pkIf62C

— Liz Lewis (LizLewis26) February 14, 2016

Both presidential candidates have pledged to restore security and boost the economy.

Earlier on Sunday, the two candidates cast their ballots in the capital Bangui.

Touadera after casting his vote said he hoped for a large turnout.

“We have presented our party projects for the people, and we hope that people will come out to vote in large numbers for our bid because our candidacy is one of togetherness and confidence,” he said.

His contender Dologuélé on the other hand said “the sense of duty and joy to vote in this second round has been an accomplishment, so I participated in ending this transition and starting a new era for the Central African Republic.”

Turnout was however said to be low but no security incidents were recorded as UN peacekeepers policed the polls.

Vote counting for #CARelections begins. Observers note a low(er) turnout. No security incidents reported yet. https://t.co/njNojIveDW

— Evan Cinq-Mars (@ecinqmars) February 14, 2016

Results of the polls are expected within two weeks.