BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau — Counting of votes is underway in Guinea-Bissau where voting for presidential and legislative seats took place on Sunday for President Umaro Sissoco Embaló who is seeking a second term in the nation that has endured multiple coups.

The elections have come at a critical time in West Africa, where democracy has recently been challenged by disputed elections that analysts say could embolden militaries that have forcefully taken power in several countries.

Analysts say the vote was a close race between Embaló and Fernando Dias da Costa, a little-known 47-year-old backed by former Prime Minister Domingos Simões Pereira, the runner-up in the 2019 presidential election. The winner needs more than 50% of the votes; otherwise, the election will head to a runoff.

The incum

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