3 Killed in Violent Guinea Election Protest

{{Three people died on Friday on the second day of violent street protests that have swept the Guinean capital over the organization of delayed legislative elections, witnesses and officials said.}}

Guinea’s opposition parties have accused President Alpha Conde, who took office in 2010 following Guinea’s first democratic transfer of power since 1958, of trying to rig the polls in the world’s largest bauxite exporter.

The opposition, which says Conde did not consult them before announcing the poll date, has called on its supporters to protest until Conde backs down and calls off the June 30 poll.

It has also demanded South African firm Waymark be stripped of a contract to revise the voter list.

The Guinean government has rejected the opposition demands.

Guinean government spokesman Damantang Albert Camara, said the three people were killed during the protest on Friday and several others were wounded.

“The circumstances of their death are still unclear. We understand a man in military fatigues on board (a) motorcycle opened fire on the crowd in Bambeto before fleeing,” Camara said, adding that officials were investigating the incident.

The deaths on Friday brought to at least 15 the number of people killed in violent clashes since March in the seaside capital. Over 300 have been wounded, including 30 during the protests on Thursday.

{reuters}