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Central African Republic votes in presidential run-off Central African Republic votes in presidential run-off
(about 3 hours later)
People in the Central African Republic (CAR) have been voting in the second round of presidential elections. People in the Central African Republic have voted to elect a new president in a run-off contest between two former prime ministers.
The poll, which closed at 16.00 (15.00 GMT), is being seen as a step towards restoring peace. Final results in the poll - seen as a step towards restoring peace - are not expected for several weeks.
The seizure of power by a mainly Muslim rebel group in 2013 led to prolonged bloodshed.The seizure of power by a mainly Muslim rebel group in 2013 led to prolonged bloodshed.
Both presidential candidates, former prime ministers Faustin Touadera and Anicet Dologuele, have pledged to restore security and boost the economy. Candidates Faustin Touadera and Anicet Dologuele have pledged to restore security and boost the economy.
Casting his vote, Mr Touadera - portrayed by supporters as a peacemaker who can bridge the Christian-Muslim divide - said he was hoping for a high turnout. Both Mr Touadera, portrayed by supporters as a peacemaker who can bridge the Christian-Muslim divide, and Mr Dologuele, who has promised a break from the country's violent past, expressed hope for a high turnout.
Mr Dologuele, who has promised a break from the country's violent past, referenced St Valentine's Day as he exhorted citizens to vote "as an act of love for their country", Radio Centrafrique reported. Mr Dologuele even referenced St Valentine's Day as he exhorted citizens to vote "as an act of love for their country", Radio Centrafrique reported.
Read more about CAR:Read more about CAR:
Mr Dologuele served under President Ange-Felix Patasse between 1999 and 2001, and Mr Touadera was prime minister under President Francois Bozize between 2008 and 2013. But a BBC correspondent in the region said there was less enthusiasm among voters than during the first round in December, although election officials said the voting had gone smoothly.
There are hopes that the poll, which took place amid heavy security, will help turn the page on years of religious conflict. Prime Minister Mahamat Kamoun echoed this, telling Radio Centrafrique that he was "not entirely satisfied" with voter turnout.
Nearly 80% of the electorate voted in the first round of voting in December, which observers saw as a rejection of violence. Voters were also choosing a new parliament following the annulment of a poll in December due to irregularities.
However, Prime Minister Mahamat Kamoun told Radio Centrafrique he was "not entirely satisfied" with voter turnout. Nearly 80% of the electorate voted in December's first round, which observers saw as a rejection of violence.
"I want to tell CAR people that these presidential elections are of paramount importance for our country," he said.
Communal reconciliation and reigniting the country's sluggish economy featured prominently as campaign themes.Communal reconciliation and reigniting the country's sluggish economy featured prominently as campaign themes.
CAR is one of the world's most unstable countries and was thrown into political chaos three years ago when mostly Muslim Seleka fighters toppled President Bozize.CAR is one of the world's most unstable countries and was thrown into political chaos three years ago when mostly Muslim Seleka fighters toppled President Bozize.
Christian militias responded to Seleka abuses, with attacks carried out against the Muslim minority community.Christian militias responded to Seleka abuses, with attacks carried out against the Muslim minority community.
After regional pressure, an interim administration took charge in January 2014 and later that year a 10,000-strong UN force took over the peacekeeping mission.After regional pressure, an interim administration took charge in January 2014 and later that year a 10,000-strong UN force took over the peacekeeping mission.
The north-east of the country is now mostly under the control of Muslim rebels while Christian militias hold sway the south-west.The north-east of the country is now mostly under the control of Muslim rebels while Christian militias hold sway the south-west.
Thousands died in the fighting and roughly a fifth of the population is thought to have been displaced.Thousands died in the fighting and roughly a fifth of the population is thought to have been displaced.