Guinea holds first free election after era of army rule

Guinea holds first free election

CONAKRY, Guinea — Polls have opened in Guinea as the West African nation holds its first free elections since independence more than half a century ago, a vote many hope will finally end decades of military rule and launch a new democratic era.

On the eve of the ballot, the country’s powerful junta leader vowed to ensure fairness and transparency, warning a roomful of presidential hopefuls they must help avert violence or risk casting the nation back to its volatile past.

Gen. Sekouba Konate is not running in the poll but said late Saturday the nation faces a choice between its dream of democracy and “chaos and instability.”