NAIROBI, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The passing year of 2009 witnessed a number of general elections in Sub-Saharan Africa. While elections in African countries may sometimes trigger fears of violence and unrest, this year's polls were largely held with peace and order.

In countries like South Africa, the Republic of Congo, Mauritania, Gabon, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia and Equatorial Guinea, elections proceeded with good order as people had faith in the front-running candidates that they can bring out development and prosperity once in power.

PEACEFUL, ORDERLY ELECTIONS

South Africa, the continent's biggest economy, held general elections on April 22. The ruling party African National Congress (ANC) won victory with 65.9 percent of the votes, and ANC leader Jacob Zuma became South Africa's new president.

Three months after that, the Republic of Congo held its presidential election during which President Denis Sassou-Nguesso secured re-election. Sassou garnered 78.6 percent of the votes, as his challengers were too divided to pose any serious challenge for him. Although the country has bitter memories about past elections, the July vote proceeded peacefully in general.

In Mauritania, almost one year after the civilian government was overthrown in a military coup, a presidential election was held on July 18. Eight months after he toppled the civilian government, General Abdel Aziz resigned from the military on April16 to run for presidency.

Due to disputes among political parties, the election was postponed from June 6 to July 18, but the coup leader Aziz finally won presidency for the nation of some 3 million people, in an election that observers regarded as valid.

On Aug. 30, west African country Gabon held a presidential election, following the death of the nation's former President Omar Bongo in June. A total of 23 candidates contested for the country's top job, and the late leader's son Ali Bongo won the race, as candidate of the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party.

Botswana, one of the world's top diamond producers, held general elections on Oct. 16. President Ian Khama's Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), in power since independence from Britain in 1966, claimed victory, extending Khama's rule over the southern African country for another five years.

In neighboring Namibia, the ruling SWAPO party clinched its fifth straight landslide victory in the Nov. 27 presidential and parliamentary elections, and President Hifikepunye Pohamba was successfully re-elected.

The former liberation movement SWAPO has ruled Namibia, an country of around 2 million people, since 1990. The party is popular among many voters for maintaining peace and stability among the 13 ethnic groupings in the country.

Also in southern Africa, Mozambique President Armando Guebuza and his party won the national elections with more than two-thirds majority in parliament in the Oct. 28 election. A SADC (the Southern African Development Community) Election Observer Mission said no acts of intimidation or violence were observed or reported during the elections.

In western Africa, Equatorial Guinea held a presidential election on Nov. 29. In a lop-sided race, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema secured another seven years in power with 95.37 percent of the ballots.

DEVELOPMENT KEY TO STABILITY

Just one year ago, post-election violence in eastern African country Kenya killed over one thousand people and displaced hundreds of thousands. The strive for power also plunged Indian Ocean island country Madagascar deep into chaos. However, most of the above-mentioned elections were held with order as the winners had promised to bring about development to their countries.

During Mozambique's 2009 election, the ruling party's achievement in the fields of economic development won wide recognition from the general public. For those who have got rid of poverty and are aspiring for prosperity, there's good reason to vote for the continuity of the ruling party's policies.

In Mauritania, the promises and actions by former coup leader Aziz on a "constructive reform" gained approval from many of the voters, especially the poor. After Aziz came to power, his policies to build infrastructure and launch subsidies to the poor people were welcomed by many Mauritanians.

The parties or presidential candidates that can give voters the hope of development and prosperity will most likely to enjoy a lop-sided election, averting the danger of election violence which is usually seen in "neck-to-neck" competitions.

In South Africa for example, the ANC has high popularity among most of the South Africans. As ANC candidate, Zuma stood in a fairly good position to win and the possibility for election disputes to happen is relatively low.

So was the situation in central Africa's Republic of Congo, where all the pre-election polls signaled that presidential candidate Sassou could win out. Many voters believe that if Sassouwins, the country would secure continuity of its policies, which is conducive to social and economic advancement.

Sassou's rivals, largely divided in their political stance, could not form a combined force capable of challenging the front-runner. The much-feared reoccurrence of election violence didn't happen in Brazzaville this year.

While a number of factors may have contributed to the peaceful elections in Africa in 2009, the prospects of development that those strong candidates delivered must have played a decisive rolein dispelling doubts and disputes.

Sub-Saharan African nations are laudable for their achievements in smooth transfers of power this year. However, peaceful election might be just the first step for the success of a new government. Only those who can steer their nation out of the sweeping economic crisis and ship toward prosperity will enjoy long-standing support from the people.