Guinea's former foreign minister Bakary Fofana was elected, by majority, as the chairman of the country's National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) during the institution's first plenary session which was held on Thursday.

Fofana who was a representative of the Guinean civil society, was elected through secret ballot by 15 commissioners against his main challenger Abdel Aziz Camara who obtained 5 votes. 20 commissioners out of the institution's 25 commissioners took part in the election.

The two positions of deputy CENI chairperson went to Fatoumata Biya Diallo of the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG, opposition) and Ibrahima Kalil Keita from the presidential camp.

The new chairman said that the formation of a new CENI comes at a time when the finalization of the transition is considered by everyone as the major challenge for moving the country towards a constitutional order.

"I am aware of our mission as a commission and the challenges that lie ahead especially in the prevailing circumstances that are marked by a climate of mistrust between political actors," Fofana said.

He noted that this mission is for the new commissioners to accomplish, in all neutrality, impartiality and professionally, the mandate they have been given by the Guinean people.

"We must ensure that the national interests triumph over personal and partisan interests," the CENI chairman said.

On behalf of the Guinean government, the Territorial Administration Minister Alhassane Conde assured the new CENI team of every necessary support.