Pretoria - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on voters in Guinea-Bissau to continue to show their sense of civic duty in today’s presidential run-off, which is expected to bring the country's transition period to an end.
Guinea-Bissau held the first presidential and legislative elections on April 13 since a military coup upended the impoverished west African country in 2012.
With no candidate won a majority in the first round, former Finance Minister Jose Mario Vaz is up against Nuno Gomes Nabiam, an independent candidate,.
Today’s election will be a key test for a fragile state plagued by powerful cocaine cartels and upended in a military coup two years ago.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Ban commended all national stakeholders for their efforts to ensure a credible electoral process, and the two presidential candidates for having conducted a peaceful and orderly electoral campaign.
He also lauded the generous support of international partners in the electoral process and expressed UN commitment to "continue to support the people of Guinea-Bissau as they conclude the transition, and begin the process of working towards re-building the state and promoting stability and sustainable development."
"Bissau-Guineans will take another step towards stability," Ban said in the statement, urging voters to "show the same sense of civic duty exhibited during the first round of presidential and legislative elections by turning out in large numbers and in a peaceful manner."
Meanwhile, Malawi will also take to the polls in the tightly contested presidential, parliamentary and regional polls on Tuesday.
About 7.5 million people - more than 90 percent of eligible voters - have registered.
President Joyce Banda will be facing three strong candidates. Last week, Chairperson of the African Union Commission Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma visited Malawi and met AU Election Observation Mission (AUEOM), to offer solidarity and support to the people of Malawi, according to the African Union.
Dlamini Zuma reassured them of the AU's commitment to maintain stability through democratic and credible elections in Malawi and throughout the continent, said the statement.
She would also meet with officials of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Justice Maxon Mbendera, the security services and other state institutions, to ascertain the level of preparedness as well as to reaffirm the AU's support and commitment, added the statement. - SAnews.gov.za –Xinhua
