Political parties are gathering in the capital of Guinea-Bissau in campaign activities for Sunday's legislative election, which is expected to lead the tiny West African country out of the shadow of coups and war, according to news from Bissau, capital of Guinea-Bissau.
All but the Alliance of Patriotic Forces (AFP) are staging their campaigns in Bissau. It has chosen the southern city of Quebo for its campaigning activities.
One of the most influential campaigners is the African Party for the Independence of Guinea- Bissau and Cape-Verde (PAIGC).
Former prime minister Carlos Domingos Gomes also came to Bissau from the northern region of Mansoa to lobby support from voters.
Another former prime minister in the race is Aristides Gomes, the president of the Republican Party for Independence and Development (PRID).
Moahmed Koumba Iala, who heads the Party of Social Renovation, left the northern region of Biombo on a campaign trip in Bissau.
Other campaigners included the Socialist Party of Guinea-Bissau(PS) and the Democratic Popular Party.
Politicians are competing over the issues of health service, education, energy development, agriculture and justice. Drug trafficking is one of the major concerns as Guinea-Bissau faces an increasing challenge from crime rings to make the country a lawless state for cocaine.
The international community is paying high attention to the polls with the United Nations, the European Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) contributing millions of dollars to ensure its success.
Nearly 600,000 nationals have registered to elect the 100 members of parliament with more than 100 international observers to watch closely the entire process.
Guinea-Bissau, with a population of 1.5 million, is one of the poorest countries in the world. Since it gained independence from Portugal in 1974, the country has witnessed several military coups and a civil war between 1998 and 1999.
In July 2007, former military ruler Joao Bernardo "Nino" Vieira, who was ousted in the war after 19 years in power, won the presidential run-off in Guinea-Bissau.
The country lies on the west coast of northern Africa, bordered by Senegal to the north, Guinea to the east and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It includes the island of Bolama and the Bijagos Archipelago. Its main exports include cashew nuts and fish.
Source: Xinhua
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