Much-delayed Guinea election now scheduled for Oct. 24

Delayed Guinea election now set for Oct. 24

CONAKRY, Guinea — A presidential decree read on state TV announces that Guinea’s much-delayed presidential run-off will be held Oct. 24.

Mohamed Kasse, the director of the government press office, read the decree on the Tuesday evening newscast, ending weeks of speculation that began when the Sept. 19 run-off was abruptly canceled just days before the vote.

The election is supposed to mark the West African country’s first free and fair vote after half-a-century of dictatorship.

Although the first round in June was largely deemed transparent, the country has since been plunged into crisis after the government and the leading candidates could not agree on a date for the run-off.

Multiple dates were set or proposed, only to then be rescheduled.