Guinea-Bissau Elections: Voter Hopes High for Peaceful Transition Amid Crisis
Guinea-Bissau held elections with around 760,000 voters seeking resolution to a political crisis dating back to 2015. Campaigning concluded with significant support shown for multiple parties. The UN and other organizations prepared extensively to ensure fair elections, with initial results expected shortly. The citizens’ primary concerns revolve around education, health, and employment.
On Sunday, approximately 760,000 registered voters from Guinea-Bissau cast their ballots for new National Assembly members, marking a significant moment after an extended political crisis dating back to 2015. This election aims to reinstate stability following the dissolution of Prime Minister Domingos Simões Pereira’s government by then-President José Mário Vaz, which led to the appointment of seven different leaders since then.
Campaigning concluded on Friday, with vibrant rallies by supporters of 21 competing political parties across Bissau, the nation’s capital. UN News reported a day of non-campaigning on Saturday, during which international observers prepared for the election day. Observers, numbering over 130, were dispatched across the country to ensure a smooth electoral process after recent controversies surrounding electoral lists were addressed.
Several election observers expressed optimism. Joaquim Rafael Branco of the African Union noted that political conversations among competitors suggest a peaceful election atmosphere, while General Francis A. Behanzin from ECOWAS highlighted a sense of hope for democracy in West Africa, indicating collaborative interactions among parties.
In the Santa Luzia neighborhood, local citizens expressed their challenges. Saido Embalo, a city worker, emphasized the critical issues of work, education, and health that voters hoped the elections would address, while Ivaldine Joana Landim, a doctor, lamented the lack of school for children due to unpaid teachers. They both look for improvement in their lives through these elections.
The UN Peacebuilding Office (UNIOGBIS) played a crucial role in the electoral preparations, training police, civil society members, electoral officials, and journalists to ensure the elections are conducted fairly. They also promoted workshops for candidate engagement and established a network for national monitoring. Positive reports emerged from the UN indicating readiness for a peaceful electoral process despite financial constraints.
Immediate results are expected Monday night with official announcements following on Wednesday. Due to national election laws, presidential elections are to occur in October or November. Guinea-Bissau’s electoral history, marked by political instability since its independence in 1973, underscores the significance of these elections.
The elections in Guinea-Bissau represent a pivotal moment in hopes of resolving a longstanding political crisis and restoring stability. With extensive international and local preparations, the election process aims to ensure fairness and transparency. Observers and local citizens alike express cautious optimism for a positive outcome that could address crucial societal issues.
Original Source: news.un.org
