Guineans Cast Ballots in Presedential Elections

On Sunday, Guineans cast their vote in a historic presidential poll, the first free and fair presidential election in its 52- year history. Many Guineans waited for hours in the scalding sun just to have a chance to vote and choose between leaders, Alpha Conde and former prime minister Cellou Dalein Diallo. Whoever qualifies for the position will be replacing a military junta that has been in place since December 2008. This election and vote is seen as a important moment in the key movement in the political trajectory of Guinea and West Africa. A successful election would mean an end to years of military and strongman rule, meaning a greater economic stability and development. If the election is contested however, the army could possibly hold on to the power. Elections "will open a new era in which those who govern are accountable to those they govern, and can be voted out of office for doing a bad job. That, in itself, is a sea of change," anthropologist and Guinea specialist Michael McGovern of Yale University recently said. A successful election would also open doors for international aid, as well as important mining contracts for the ruling party. Although Diallo is the front runner currently, Conde has been gaining speed and the poll could end up very close.

-Courtney Ecton