Anicet-Georges Dologuele votes; UN peacekeepers on patrol

Presidential challenger Anicet-Georges Dologuele voted on Sunday in the presidential and legislative elections in the Central African Republic. Voting in still underway in a campaign period marked by violence between rebels and government forces.Despite calls from the opposition to delay the vote amid insecurity, the Constitutional Court rejected a postponement.

President Faustin-Archange Touadera, who is seeking a second term, has tried to reassure candidates and voters that the voting will be secure. This is the central African country’s first election since a peace deal was signed between the government and 14 rebel groups in February 2019, although fighting continues

The head of the United Nations in the country, Mankeur Ndiaye, considered the elections in the capital of the country a "success". "We have observed that the process is going very well, with calm and serenity in Bangui. The population has gone out in large numbers to exercise their right to vote,"  said Ndiaye.

But he recognized that there were incidents in other regions where ballot boxes were burned and rebel groups tried to prevent people from participating in the electoral process. The U.N. retook the town of Bambari last week from rebels. Armed groups have also seized several towns near the capital, Bangui.

The government blames the unrest on former President Francois Bozize, who returned from exile a year ago and has been blocked from running in the election. He has been accused of joining up with armed groups to destabilize the country and launch a coup. He has denied it.

Rwanda and Russia have each sent hundreds of troops to the country to support the government. Sixteen candidates are running for president, including three women, while more than 1,500 candidates are running for 140 seats in the national assembly.More than 1.86 million voters are registered, but more than 598,000 refugees in neighboring countries will not be able to vote, according to the U.N.