The military regime in Guinea in West Africa plans to hold presidential elections on 31 January next year. The junta has announced that the poll will be followed by parliamentary elections on 26 March.

Members of the military, led by the young Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, seized power in December. The coup followed the death of president Lansana Conté, who had ruled Guinea for 24 years.

The coup regime first pledged to hold elections in 2009 but have now postponed the date. The latest poll dates were put forward by a commission which included political parties, unions and members of the armed forces.

image: Guinea (flickr/mulf)