Voters appear to have turned out in large numbers in Guinea to elect a new president, with reports saying people formed long, calm queues.

几内亚选民大量出现在选举站，报道称人们自觉排成长队，平静地等候。

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Many Guineans hope the vote heralds a new democratic era

The vote is regarded as the West African country's first democratic election.

The poll follows a pledge by military ruler Sekouba Konate to return the country to civilian² rule.

He has vowed³ not to stand or allow any members of his administration to do so.

About 4.2 million Guineans are eligible⁴（合格的，合适的） to vote. Twenty-four candidates are vying⁵（争夺） for the presidency⁶.

Guinea has been ruled by a succession of military and civilian autocrats⁷（独裁者） since independence in 1958.

The army seized power in 2008, following the death of strongman Lansana Conte, who had been in power for more than two decades.

The country descended⁸ into chaos⁹ last September, after troops opened fire on pro-democracy demonstrations¹⁰ in the capital, Conakry, killing¹¹ more than 150 people.

'Judgment¹² of history'

Voting was extended by two hours due to the queues.

"Voting is peaceful, orderly and there is a sense of excitement," said Yakubu Gowon, the former Nigerian leader who is heading the observation mission of US-based rights group the Carter Center, according to the Reuters agency.

Mr Gowon estimated a turnout of 75-80%.

The US embassy in Conakry issued a statement welcoming the peaceful voting: "Based on the assessment¹³ of local and international observers and our own election monitoring mission, the US embassy believes voting to have gone extraordinarily¹⁴ well particularly in the light of（根据，按照） the significant time and logistical challenges."

As voting got under way on Sunday, Conakry resident Marieme Kande told AFP news agency: "I am happy to vote freely."

The BBC's Alhassan Sillah in the capital says there is real optimism that the vote could finally drive the army out of politics, leaving democratically chosen leaders to try to improve people's lives.

In neighbouring Liberia - where many Guineans fled violence in recent years - exiles have been voting in the capital Monrovia, with queues stretching 5km (3 miles).

The frontrunners are former Prime Ministers Cellou Dalein Diallo and Sidya Toure, and veteran opposition¹⁵ leader Alpha Conde.

On Saturday, Gen Konate said that the country was standing¹⁶ "before the judgement of history."

"Starting from now, it's up to you to make it happen," he told the candidates.

The choice, he added, was between "peace, freedom and democracy, or chaos and instability（不稳定） ".

Despite having rich reserves of bauxite¹⁷（矾土） , iron and diamonds, Guinea is one of the poorest countries in the world.

Election results are expected within three days. As no candidate is likely to win outright¹⁸（立刻地） , a run-off between the front-runners is due to take place on 18 July.