Peacekeepers patrolled the streets of Central African Republic as voting began on Wednesday in a presidential election aimed at restoring democratic rule after years of inter-religious violence in which thousands have died.
Lines formed at polling stations in the capital Bangui and in the mainly Muslim PK-5 neighborhood.
U.N. peacekeepers staged patrols and positioned armored personnel carriers at voting stations, witnesses said.
Mainly Muslim rebels from a group called the Seleka seized power in the majority Christian nation in early 2013, provoking reprisals from the Christian anti-balaka militias that triggered a cycle of religious and inter-communal killings.
Leading candidates include former prime ministers Anicet-Georges Dologuele and Martin Ziguele.