Guinea votes in presidential election expected to cement Doumbouya's rule

Guinea began voting on Sunday in a presidential election widely expected to hand Mamady Doumbouya, who seized power in a 2021 coup, a seven-year mandate, completing the West African nation's transition back to civilian rule.



The former special forces commander, thought to be in his early 40s, faces eight other candidates in a fragmented field with no strong challenger. Ousted President Alpha Conde and longtime opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo remain in exile.



Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. (0700 GMT) in the capital Conakry, with only slight delays in some cases as small queues of people waited outside. Some voters described the election as a formality and the outcome as a foregone conclusion.



"The most important thing is that the country returns to normal. I'm pragmatic. I voted for the one who is in office and who ensures the continuity of the state," shopkeeper Moussa Kaba told Reuters.



About 6.7 million people are registered to vote and polling stations were due to close at 6 p.m. (1800 GMT), with provisional results expected within 48 to 72 hours of polls closing.