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S Leone poised for landmark polls Landmark vote begins in S Leone
(about 4 hours later)
Voters in Sierra Leone go to the polls on Saturday to elect a new president and members of parliament, five years after the end of a brutal civil war. Voters in Sierra Leone are going to the polls to elect a new president and members of parliament, five years after the end of a brutal civil war.
Campaigning ended on Thursday but heavy rain has hampered deliveries of voting material to the polling stations.Campaigning ended on Thursday but heavy rain has hampered deliveries of voting material to the polling stations.
Seven candidates are vying to replace President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, who is stepping down after serving two terms.Seven candidates are vying to replace President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, who is stepping down after serving two terms.
The previous election in 2002, held soon after the decade-long war ended, was organised by the United Nations.The previous election in 2002, held soon after the decade-long war ended, was organised by the United Nations.
This time around a new electoral commission has the task of organising the polls.This time around a new electoral commission has the task of organising the polls.
The BBC's Will Ross in the capital, Freetown, says these elections are a chance to show the rest of the world that Sierra Leone has turned its back on years of instability and a civil war.The BBC's Will Ross in the capital, Freetown, says these elections are a chance to show the rest of the world that Sierra Leone has turned its back on years of instability and a civil war.
The front-runnersThe front-runners
Seven candidates are standing in the presidential elections to replace Mr Kabbah, who is coming to the end of his second five-year term.Seven candidates are standing in the presidential elections to replace Mr Kabbah, who is coming to the end of his second five-year term.
SIERRA LEONE KEY FACTS 1787: Set up as a freed slaves settlement which became a British colony1991: 10-year civil war began50,000 people killed in the conflict Thousands more had limbs chopped off2002: Post-war elections organised by United Nations2005, 17,000 UN peacekeepers left This poll run by a new electoral commission2.6m voters 566 parliamentary candidates112 parliamentary seats Seven presidential contendersFrontrunners: - APC's Ernest Bai Koroma- PMDC's Charles Margai- SLPP's Solomon Berewa Traffic light politics In pictures: Freetown slumSIERRA LEONE KEY FACTS 1787: Set up as a freed slaves settlement which became a British colony1991: 10-year civil war began50,000 people killed in the conflict Thousands more had limbs chopped off2002: Post-war elections organised by United Nations2005, 17,000 UN peacekeepers left This poll run by a new electoral commission2.6m voters 566 parliamentary candidates112 parliamentary seats Seven presidential contendersFrontrunners: - APC's Ernest Bai Koroma- PMDC's Charles Margai- SLPP's Solomon Berewa Traffic light politics In pictures: Freetown slum
Three are considered front runners.Three are considered front runners.
The vice president of the governing Sierra Leone People's Party, Solomon Berewa, faces a challenge from Ernest Bichoroma, of the All People's Congress, which was in power for two decades leading up to the civil war. The vice-president of the governing Sierra Leone People's Party, Solomon Berewa, faces a challenge from Ernest Bichoroma, of the All People's Congress, which was in power for two decades leading up to the civil war.
The emergence of a new political party led by a former minister, Charles Margai, will also make it harder for any candidate to secure 55% of the vote in order to avoid a run-off, correspondents say.The emergence of a new political party led by a former minister, Charles Margai, will also make it harder for any candidate to secure 55% of the vote in order to avoid a run-off, correspondents say.
In addition, more than 500 candidates are vying for just over 100 parliamentary seats.In addition, more than 500 candidates are vying for just over 100 parliamentary seats.
About 2.6 million of the country's five million people are registered to vote.About 2.6 million of the country's five million people are registered to vote.
Since British troops intervened seven years ago to help end the war, aid money has poured in to Sierra Leone but reconstruction has been slow.Since British troops intervened seven years ago to help end the war, aid money has poured in to Sierra Leone but reconstruction has been slow.
Some analysts warn that the conditions which helped fuel the war have started to re-emerge - especially the high unemployment and corruption.Some analysts warn that the conditions which helped fuel the war have started to re-emerge - especially the high unemployment and corruption.
But our correspondent says on the whole the lead-up to the election has been peaceful.But our correspondent says on the whole the lead-up to the election has been peaceful.