Voters in Guinea-Bissau's capital expressed hope for change ahead of a contentious presidential election mired in controversies.

Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embaló is seeking a second term in Sunday's general election, despite years of political instability and repeated allegations of coup attempts.

A win would make him the first sitting leader to secure re-election since the West African nation gained independence from Portugal more than 50 years ago.

There has been significant controversy over his mandate ahead of the vote.

Guinea-Bissau, a nation of about 2 million people, has endured multiple coups since independence - won after a brutal war with Portugal - including alleged attempts to oust Embaló since he took office in 2020.

“I hope that these elections will bring peace and tranquility so that there is no more hunger,” voter Marinho Insoldé said in the capital, Bissau.

Twelve candidates are running for the presidency, while 14 political groups, including one coalition, are competing in the legislative races.

Analysts have said the polls are among the most contentious since Guinea-Bissau’s return to multiparty democracy, pointing to the exclusion of opposition coalitions by the Supreme Court and the participation of PAIGC leader Domingos Simões Pereira, a longtime rival of Embaló.

They warn that sidelining major opposition groups, along with rivalries within the military, could destabilize the vote.

The vote comes amid a dispute around the length of Embaló’s term.

The constitution sets the presidential term at five years with a maximum of two terms. Opposition groups have said his mandate expired on February 27, while the Supreme Court ruled it runs until September 4.

The election, originally set for November 30, was moved forward adding further to tensions.

Marcos Da Costa, a voter in Bissau, said he hopes for a calm election “so that we can all live as Guineans.”