BANGUI, Central African Republic—Hope prevailed for thousands in Central African Republic who flooded the polling stations early and kept them busy until closing to vote in national elections meant to bring greater stability after years of violence.
Voters are choosing a president from a list of 30 candidates to replace transitional leader Catherine Samba-Panza, who was put in place in January 2014. More than 1.8 million people were registered to vote at more than 500 polling stations nationwide.
Central African Republic has been rocked by unrest since March 2013 when a largely Muslim alliance of rebel groups known as Seleka overthrew President Francois Bozize. The rebel leader left power in 2014 and a horrific backlash by the Christian anti-Balaka militia against Muslim civilians followed. Thousands were killed and sectarian violence has continued, displacing nearly 1 million people.
That elections are being held at all is a major feat for the nation that has delayed them several times this year, including a delay from Dec. 27 to Dec. 30 to make sure training was finalized and voting better organized.
Voters stood patiently in line, some wearing colorful clothing, some hoisting parasols to ward off the hot sun.
It was not immediately clear how many people had come out to vote, but National Electoral Authority spokesman Julius Rufin Ngoadebaba said voting lines were moving until the final hours.
“This shows there has been enthusiasm for this vote. Central Africans have come out en masse,” he said.
Still, there were a few problems, with some names of candidates for parliament reported missing from ballots. But, at least through mid-day, there were no reports of violence.
Samba-Panza voted at a school in the capital, Bangui, urging others to get to the polls.
“Many thought this day, this vote would not be possible for security and organizational reasons. But, you see, we all are voting in dignity and peace and I am proud,” she said.
