Guinea-Bissau's voters began to cast their ballots on Sunday to choose a new president following the assassination of the long serving leader, Joao Bernardo Vieira, in early March.

A total of 593 782 eligible voters of the West African nation's1.4 million population went to the 2,684 polling stations, which were opened at 7:00 a.m. (0700 GMT) and set to close at 5:00 p.m. (1700 GMT).

There are 11 candidates running for the presidency including the front runner, Malam Bacai Sanha of the ruling Independence of Guinea- Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC).

Source:Xinhua