By Daniel Magnowski and Saliou Samb
CONAKRY (Reuters) - Voters in Guinea formed long queues at polling stations on Sunday, grasping their first chance to freely elect a leader since the coup-prone West African state won independence from France in 1958.
Observers said turnout was high in a vote which could help trigger more investment in Guinea's vast mineral resources and unlock more aid to combat poverty. A clean vote would also boost pro-democracy camps across a region that has suffered a string of coups and tainted votes.
"Voting is peaceful, orderly and there is a sense of excitement," Yakubu Gowon, the former Nigerian leader heading the observation mission of U.S.-based rights group the Carter Centre, told reporters, estimating turnout at 75-80 percent.
Only last September an army crackdown on pro-democracy marchers led to more than 150 deaths and took Guinea close to civil war. Weeks later, junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara was wounded in an assassination attempt and his Western-backed successor pledged to hand rule back to civilians.
With 24 candidates in the running, Sunday's vote is unlikely to produce a clear winner. Results are expected by Wednesday, after which the front-runners are seen forming alliances in a bid to win voters for a July 18 run-off.
The streets of Conakry were quiet on Sunday, with traffic much lighter than normal, and most people who were outdoors were either calmly waiting to vote or returning from doing so.
"The future president must form a government that unites the candidates," student Diallo Mamadou Yaya, 23, said of the tough task ahead for the victor, who is seen having to form alliances with rivals to build a strong government.
"Fighting corruption has to be their first priority, it cannot be tolerated. To rebuild Guinea, you have to start with that," he said of graft that permeated President Lansana Conte's 26-year rule until his December 2008 death led to a coup.
JUST A FIRST STEP
Guinea is the world's top exporter of the aluminium ore bauxite, and multinational mining companies are wrestling over its lucrative iron ore resources, yet a third of the population of 10 million live in poverty. Whoever becomes president will have a tough job transforming the country.
"We've tried to talk about the dividends of democracy not washing over the country immediately," said U.S. ambassador Patricia Moller.
"This is an important first step in the democratic process."
Outside Conakry, Guineans also turned out in numbers.
"Everything is going well, but there are lots of people here and voting isn't happening quickly," said Mohamed Kouyate in Nzerekore, a southeastern town 500 km (310 miles) from Conakry.
Some analysts had worried Nzerekore, a Camara stronghold, would be a flashpoint, but no violent incidents were reported.
Six people were killed in clashes this week between rival political groups in the village of Coyah 50 km (30 miles) outside the capital, but it was the only serious outbreak of violence for weeks.
Final rallies held by candidates in Conakry were noisy but peaceful. Security forces have banned large gatherings during voting and are closing national borders until midnight.
Assembly of Guinean People leader Alpha Conde and Cellou Dalein Diallo of the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea are among the favourites.
Both belong to large ethnic groups -- Malinke and Peul respectively -- in a vote that may divide on ethnic lines. Sidya Toure, another top contender, is from the Diakhanke minority.
All have pledged to improve the lot of ordinary Guineans, and some vow to review contracts with foreign firms for bauxite, iron and other resources. Yet analysts say Guinea is aware it needs the mining giants to extract the riches from its soil.
(Additional reporting by Media Coulibaly; editing by Mark John and Myra MacDonald)
