People formed long lines at polling stations to vote for the president to serve for a five year term and deputies for the National Assembly.
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It is the first election since last year’s popular uprising which toppled longstanding president Blaise Compaore.
Burkina Faso should announce provisional results on Monday from an election to choose the West African country’s first new leader in decades, the head of the electoral commission said. The other is Zephirin Diabre, who was minister of finance in the 1990s before stepping down to start an opposition party.
He was toppled by protests when he tried to change the constitution to extend his rule even further.
“The people of Burkina Faso have once more shown their profound attachment to democracy by holding a peaceful vote”, said Michaelle Jean, secretary general of the International Francophonie organisation. Compaore resigned and fled the country, ending his 27-year rule of one of the poorest countries in the world.
According to a readout issued at the time, the Secretary-General also reiterated his call on all national stakeholders to act responsibly, exercise restraint and work in the best interests of the country, while reaffirming the UN’s commitment to supporting national efforts, including for the organization of the elections.
The presidential candidates approved by the Constitutional Council include two women, four independent candidates and 10 candidates sponsored by political parties.
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The elections, originally scheduled for October 11, were delayed after a coup attempt in September by presidential guards loyal to Compaore to overturn the interim government. A candidate needs more than 50 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff.
