Preliminary results declared in Central African Republic presidential vote

The Central African Republic (CAR) went ahead with a presidential runoff vote which many hope will bring peace after more than two years of sectarian fighting.

Two ex-prime ministers, Faustin-Archange Touadera and Anicet-Georges Dologuele, were contesting in the poll.

Initial results from the electoral authority show candidate Faustin-Archange Touadera leading the polls.

Both candidates made the restoration of peace and security the centerpiece of their campaigns and the winner has the tough task of rebuilding the country which is among the poorest in the world.

Armed soldiers from MINUSCA, the country’s 11,000-strong U.N. mission, guarded polling stations while attack helicopters circled in the skies over Bangui.

Also, armoured vehicles from a 900-soldier French military contingent patrolled the streets.

CAR was plunged in the worst crisis in its history in early 2013, when mainly Muslim Seleka fighters toppled President François Bozizé.