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AFP
Guinea will hold elections in May, more than five months after the originally slated date, with or without the consent of the opposition, the west African country's interior minister told AFP Monday.

Guinea was meant to go to the polls in late December, but the ballot was postponed to meet opposition demands for a role in planning the vote.

"These elections have been postponed, but today, everything is ready," said Alhassane Conde, adding that the revision of the electoral lists would be completed in time for a May vote.

The opposition had complained it was not consulted when the December date was set and accused the regime of planning to hold sham polls with no safeguards against fraud.

It is also seeking a reform of the electoral commission.

But Conde ruled out any reforms ahead of the ballot.

"The law is very clear -- no one is forced to go to elections. Those who want to, will go, those who don't want to, don't have to go. In any case, the elections will be held," the minister said.