20120407
AFP
Guinea-Bissau's electoral commission announced Friday the start of election campaigning for April 22 run-off polls had been postponed to examine an appeal by the opposition.

"The postponement is linked to the examination of appeals" filed by five opposition candidates who want the March 18 first round of voting annuled, the elections commission said in a statement.

An official from the Supreme Court said that until it makes its ruling, "the whole electoral process remains suspended."

Five candidates including Kumba Yala, who came second with 23 percent, claim widespread fraud and is refusing to participate in the election which would see him face off against former prime minister Carlos Gomes.

The troubled west African nation has to elect a new leader after the death of President Malam Bacai Sanha and the poll is seen as a test of its commitment to stability after decades of coups and deadly score-settling between army and state.

As the poll took place 60 days after the death of the president the country made use of a 2008 electoral register which excludes those who came of voting age in the interim and does not discount those who may have died.

The logjam has raised fears of further turbulence in the country where chronic instability has allowed a cocaine trade to flourish.