Guinea-Bissau tries to restore constitutional order with presidential runoff vote

Published January 08, 2015

Long lines formed outside polling stations in Guinea-Bissau for a presidential runoff vote intended to restore constitutional order in a country known for coups and unrest.

Sunday's vote pits Jose Mario Vaz, whose party won a parliamentary majority in April's first round, against Nuno Gomes Nabiam, who is known for close ties to military leaders.

A similar runoff vote was derailed two years ago when the military arrested the prime minister who was then the leading presidential candidate. Shortly after the junta agreed to hand power to a caretaker president, Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo, who has led the nation of 1.7 million since then.

Observers expressed cautious hope for a smooth handover of power in this election.

No elected leader has completed a full term since Guinea-Bissau won independence in 1974.

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