ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) has commended Guinea for holding a peaceful presidential election last Sunday despite pre-election unrest.
"The mass participation and eventual spirit of tranquility in which the election proceedings were held is a final testament to the Guinean peoples' understanding of the importance of peacefully exercising their civic rights," Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the AU Commission said in a statement on Tuesday.
Over six million Guineans cast their ballots to choose a president out of eight candidates. Provisional results are expected to be released this week.
"We now call on all parties to respect the voice of the electorate and to preserve the peace," the statement said.
Violent conflicts between various groups as well as looting took place days before the voting, creating a tense atmosphere across the country.
AU sent 30 election observers to the country.
