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Election Date: December 20, 2003

At stake: President

Background

The West African country of Guinea became independent from France in 1958. Head of state Lansana Conté signed a decree on Oct. 21, authorizing new presidential elections for Dec. 21.

Conté has ruled the country since seizing power in a bloodless coup after the death of president Ahmed Sékou Touré in 1984. On November 2001, a referendum was held on the question of extending the presidential term from five to seven years. Conté won the vote, boycotted by opposition parties who claimed the president was looking for a way to rule for life.

In 2003, the 69-year-old Conté accepted the nomination for the Parti de l'Unité et du Progrès (PUP—Party of Unity and Progress), but did not take an active role in the campaign. The former army colonel suffers from diabetes and cardiac ailments, and his health could have been further jeopardized with appearances and events. Conté did not even attend his closing rally in Conakry.

Most of the country's opposition parties demanded equal access to media outlets for promotion and asked for an independent electoral commission. After the government refused to act on either request, most political organizations decided to boycott the presidential vote.

Sydia Touré of the Union des Forces Républicaines (UFR—Union of Republican Forces) was supposed to be Conté's main rival. Touré—highly regarded for his tenure as prime minister and finance minister from 1996 to 1999—announced that he would not take part in the election. Other respected politicians like Alpha Condé, Ba Mamadou and Jean-Marie Doré followed suit.

On Nov. 12, the final list of candidates was announced. Conté faced only one rival, Mamadou Bhoye Barry of the Union pour le Progrès Nationale (UPN—Union for National Progress). Barry—a veterinary surgeon—is said to be a personal friend of the current president.

The European Union (EU) did not provide any financial assistance for the election, and no observers were sent to Guinea to monitor the vote.

On Dec. 26, territorial administration minister Moussa Solano released official results. President Conté was declared the winner of the election, with more than 95 per cent of all cast ballots. Analysts believe it is unlikely Conté will be able to complete his new seven-year term. Turnout was tabled at 82.7 per cent.

On Jan. 9, 2004, the government released a revised version of the official results. Voter turnout was set at 85.6 per cent. President Conté's final share of the vote was 95.2 per cent, with Barry taking the remaining 4.8 per cent.

The opposition Front Républicaine pour l'Alternance Démocratique (FRAD—Republican Front for Democratic Succession)—which boycotted the election—claimed the turnout was less than 15 per cent.

On Feb. 23, François Lonseny Fall took over as prime minister, substituting Lamine Sidimé. On Dec. 9, 2004, Cellou Dalein Diallo became the new prime minister.

Political Players

President: Lansana Conté - PUP
Prime minister: Cellou Dalein Diallo - PUP

The president is elected to a seven-year term by popular vote.

Legislative Branch: The Assemblée Nationale (National Assembly) has 114 members, elected to four-year terms; 38 members in single-seat constituencies and 76 members by proportional representation.

Results of Last Election:

President - Dec. 21, 2003

National Assembly - Jun. 30, 2002

Note: Two parties—the Union des Forces Républicaines (UFR—Union of Republican Forces) and the Rassemblement du Peuple Guinéen (RPG—Rally of the Guinean People)—boycotted the Jun. 20, 2002 election.

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