Guineans began casting their ballots in a vote that has been delayed multiple times following violent ethnic clashes pitting the nation's two largest ethnic groups against each other.

The ethnic divide between the supporters of rival candidates Cellou Dalein Diallo and Alpha Conde has overshadowed what was supposed to be a historic vote for the African nation of 10 million on Sunday.

Guinea has never had an election that wasn't rigged by the ruling party since winning independence from France in 1958 and has been ruled by military strongmen for the past 26 years. The military agreed to step aside only after the head of the military junta was wounded in a shootout last year and was forced to seek medical care abroad.

The run-off poll, if it passes peacefully, could mark a turning point for the minerals-rich country and bolster efforts to develop democracy in Africa's "coup belt."

But experts say there is a high risk of ethnically-driven violence if the results are challenged.

The run-up to Sunday's vote has been turbulent, with deadly clashes between rival political camps and rows over electoral preparations leading to delays to the decisive second round since the first vote was held in June.

International observers were hopeful that electoral officials had laid the groundwork for a free and fair run-off to reduce the chances the results will be rejected by the loser over allegations of fraud.

"I am confident that all that can be done has been done. The (electoral commission) has done its utmost - of course nothing is perfect," Said Djinnit, the head of the United Nations Office for West Africa said.

The vote will end nearly two years of junta rule since a December 2008 coup, and will come close on the heels of Ivory Coast's October 31 first round of presidential elections, which passed peacefully despite some worries of turmoil.

Source: Reuters/AP