New date proposed for Guinea's run-off elections

Guinea's electoral commission has proposed a new date for presidential run-off election.The head of the electoral commission, General Siaka Sangare, told reporters in Conakry late Tuesday that he had proposed to hold the second round on the 31st of October.

Reuters

General Sekouba Konaté, the head of the ruling junta, is now to decide whether to accept the date.

Alpha Condé, opposition leader and one of the two candidates, has already accepted it. His rival Cellou Dalein Diallo, a former prime minister,  has expressed his reluctance and one of his allies has even asked for an extra week's delay.

The first round was held in June. The run-off was due to be held, after many delays, on 24 October.

Karim Komara, RFI's correspondent in Conakry, says that people on the streets of Conakry are anxiously awaiting the decision.

"They are quite afraid that if the 31 October is also going to be pushed back, more violence will be repeated across the country," he says, adding that diplomats and political observers in Guinea also expressed concern.