CONAKRY — Guineans voted on Sunday in the country’s first presidential election since a 2021 military coup, with junta leader Mamadi Doumbouya widely expected to win amid a weakened and sidelined opposition.

The vote marks the culmination of a four-year transition that began when Doumbouya seized power and ousted then-president Alpha Condé.

Critics say the junta has since tightened its grip by suppressing dissent and marginalizing opposition parties, leaving Doumbouya with little serious competition among the nine candidates.

Despite Guinea’s vast natural wealth — including its status as the world’s largest exporter of bauxite, a key component in aluminum production — more than half of its 15 million people face acute poverty and food insecurity, according to the World Food Program.

“This vote is the hope of young people, especially those of us without jobs,” said Idrissa Camara, an 18-year-old resident of Conakry. “I hope it will improve living standards and quality of life in Guinea.”

The election is being held under a new constitution adopted in a September referendum that lifted a ban on military leaders running for office and extended presidential terms from five to seven years. Opposition groups boycotted the referendum, but it was approved by a large majority.

Security was heavy in Conakry and other major cities, with nearly 12,000 police officers deployed nationwide.

Authorities said security forces had “neutralized” an armed group with “subversive intentions” late Saturday after gunfire was reported in a Conakry neighborhood.

Among Doumbouya’s rivals is Yero Baldé of the Democratic Front of Guinea, a former education minister under Condé.

Several prominent opposition figures, including Cellou Dalein Diallo and Sidya Touré, remain in exile, while others were barred from running on technical grounds.

Doumbouya’s campaign has focused on large-scale infrastructure and economic reforms, particularly the long-delayed Simandou iron ore project, a Chinese-backed venture that began production last month.

Authorities say the project underpins a national development plan aimed at job creation and economic diversification.

About 6.7 million registered voters are eligible to cast ballots at roughly 24,000 polling stations.

Preliminary results are expected within 48 hours, with a runoff scheduled if no candidate secures an outright majority. — Agencies