Bissau, Guinea Bissau - Voters in Guinea-Bissau went to the polls Sunday to choose a successor to assassinated president Joao Bernardo Vieira in an election observers hope will bring some stability to the West African nation. The tiny country of 1.6 million people, dubbed a "narco-state" for its role as a hub for drugs trafficked from South America to Europe, has been blighted by instability since independence from Portugal in 1974.
No president in Guinea Bissau has completed a five-year term since the early 1990s.
The vote passed off peacefully, even though political analysts say a sense of insecurity and anxiety persists almost four months after the death of Vieira.
Eleven candidates are running to succeed Vieira, who was killed by soldiers in an apparent revenge attack for the murder of the army chief.
The race belongs to the ruling party's Malam Bacai Sanha and opposition candidate Kumba Yala, while independent candidate Henrique Rosa has a smaller following.
Analysts say a run-off vote is likely. Preliminary election results are expected by Friday.
The vote went ahead despite heavy rain and an election campaign marred by violence and foul play.
Presidential candidate Baciro Dabo, a close ally of Vieira, was murdered by government security forces at the beginning of June. He was accused of planning a coup.
Joseph Mutaboba, representative of UN Secretary General Ban Ki- moon in Guinea-Bissau, said the stage has been set for change.
"The vote is taking place in a difficult atmosphere," he said. "But there is a good basis for change in Guinea-Bissau."
The election is also important for the reputation of the region, where both Guinea and Mauritania have suffered coups and Niger's president is attempting to override the constitution and stay in power.
At the 26 Septembre polling station in the capital Bissau, a trickle of people voted despite the rain. Voter turnout in the country, with 600,000 registered voters, was reported to be low.
Voter Jose Sahla, a maritime expert, said Guinea-Bissau has suffered enough.
"We have to be optimistic and have faith in our country's future," he said. "The biggest problem in Guinea-Bissau is drug trafficking. There aren't enough resources to patrol our sea borders."
At a derelict former football club, opposition candidate Malam Bacai Sanha cast his vote. Standing on the steps of the skeletal building, he promised change and development.
Across town, independent candidate Henrique Rosa greeted the congregation outside the Portuguese cathedral. He said his leadership would bring true peace.
Political analysts say Rosa represents hope for Guinea-Bissau but it is unlikely that he will gain enough votes to progress to the second round.
He campaigned on a platform for change, vowing to improve conditions for the urban and rural poor.
"Rosa is the only candidate who really likes peace" said Jolio Pinto Lima, a businessman. "I voted for him today because he's a good man and he's a Christian."
Policeman Neto Domingos said change won't come fast to Guinea- Bissau.
"This country can't change in just one or two years," he said. "The population must accept reconciliation - there is so much malaise here."
Guinea-Bissau's civil war ended 10 years ago, but its problems did not.
The United Nations ranks the country as one of the most impoverished nations in the world, with a life expectancy of just 45 years. One in five children die before their fifth birthday.
