Guinea: Opposition Withdraws From Vote Count

Olivier Rogez/RFI
Voting in Conakry
4 October 2013
allAfrica.com
By Boakai Fofana

Monrovia — Guinea's main opposition parties have pulled out of the counting of votes in the country's parliamentary elections, according to the BBC. The September 28 poll was meant to replace a transitional parliament which has run the nation since the end of military rule in 2010.

Opposition coalition spokesperson, former prime minister Sidya Toure, reportedly said they are withdrawing their observers from counting centres since their presence was "serving no purpose".

Repeated delays to the legislative elections' timetable resulted in deadly street protests in the lead up to Saturday's vote, ThinkAfrica Press reported. The Guinean constitution states that the polls should have been held within six months of the 2010 presidential election.

Voters cast their ballots for a 114-member National Assembly amid heightened tensions, according to Voice of America.

The BBC reports that the party of incumbent President Alpha Conde took an early lead after the first results came in.

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