DAKAR, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Guinea- Bissau has received the messages of congratulations from the presidents of Portugal and Cape Verde, Anibal Cavaco Silva and Pedro Pires, after Sunday's legislative election, which is widely hailed as a success, officials said on Friday from the West African country.

    The people of Guinea-Bissau demonstrated maturity, tolerance and civility during the entire election process, the two presidents said in the messages to their Guinea-Bissau counterpart Joao Bernardo Vieira. Cavaco Silva called on political leaders to accept the election results which are expected to be announced within days.

    Pires said the choice of the people will serve as evidence of their aspiration for progress, justice, legal rights and solidarity. He expressed hope that the people of Guinea-Bissau highly regard their expectations, foster an atmosphere of peace, stability and security in their country.

    Nearly 600,000 of the country's 1.5 million population were registered to choose 100 members of parliament in the fourth election of its kind since independence from Portugal in 1974.

    Election officials announced a high turnout of more than 70 percent without cases of violence or disruption.

    The UN Security Council on Thursday welcomed the legislative election in Guinea-Bissau, urging the political parties to respect the results.

    About 20 political parties contended in the race, including the African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape-Verde (PAIGC), which has been traditionally at the helm of the country's politics and is still considered as a top choice.

    The PAIGC faces challenges from other major parties such as the newly-formed Republican Party for Independence and Development and the Party of Social Renovation.

    Guinea-Bissau is one of the poorest countries in the world with a history of coups and civil war. The weakened governance and rule of law are being used by drug traffickers in an attempt to make the country a major hub for cocaine from Latin America to Europe.

    The international community hopes the election not only marks an end to instability but an intensified fight against drug trafficking that threatens Guinea-Bissau.