( CNN ) -- International observers Monday applauded the first free presidential election in Guinea in more than 50 years , saying it was democratic , inclusive and transparent . `` This is the first time since independence that the people of Guinea have had a chance to be regarded as human beings politically , to express themselves politically , '' said Carter Center official John Stremlau , who is in the west African nation as a monitor . `` The people were given the opportunity and conducted themselves on election day with dignity , in an orderly and peaceful way , '' said Stremlau , the vice president of the Carter Center 's peace programs and co-leader of its election observation mission . Results should be available Wednesday , and will almost certainly show a runoff will be required , said Deborah Hakes of the Carter Center . Voters came out in large numbers , they were enthusiastic and often showed great patience , the Carter Center said in a statement . Counting of ballots was transparent , in full view of everyone at polling stations , it added . The country has been ruled by a series of authoritarian and military dictators since it gained independence from France , its former colonial master , in 1958 . The most recent coup came in December 2008 , the day after the death of longtime President Lansana Conte , who himself seized power in 1984 . Capt . Moussa Dadis Camara led the 2008 coup and promised elections and the introduction of civilian rule , but by the following summer it seemed clear that he planned to run for president himself , according to the U.S. State Department . The opposition organized a protest against him in a stadium in the capital Conakry in September 2009 , but the military attacked the demonstrators . At least 150 people were killed , more than 100 were raped and at least 1,000 were injured , according to the U.S. government and international human rights groups . At least 100 bodies were never found , Human Rights Watch said . Camara was seriously wounded in an assassination attempt by an aide in December 2009 , and flown abroad for medical treatment . He survived , but agreed not to return to the country . Minister of Defense Brig . Gen. Sekouba Konate became interim president , paving the way for the elections Sunday . Twenty-four candidates are running for president , including four former prime ministers , according to Human Rights Watch , which has been cautiously optimistic about the vote . `` The Defense Ministry 's promise to keep the military in barracks during the election period , and to back whoever wins is a very positive sign , '' Human Rights Watch said Friday . `` A successful , credible election could finally end over 50 years of authoritarian and abusive rule , '' the activist group said . `` The new president and government will have their work cut out for them , '' HRW 's Corinne Dufka said . `` They should waste no time addressing the deep-rooted causes of years of crisis -- endemic corruption , impunity , crushing poverty , and the inequitable distribution of natural resource wealth . '' The country 's electoral officials , cell phone companies and U.S. embassy have worked together to set up a system where voters can send text messages if they see voter fraud or intimidation , U.S . Ambassador Patricia Newton Moller said . Guinea , a country of about 10 million people , has rich reserves of bauxite , an important aluminum ore -- possibly as much as half the world 's reserves , according to the State Department . It also has gold and diamond mines , and grows rice , coffee , bananas , pineapples and palm products .
Very democratic and inclusive , Carter Center said . West African countries ruled by authoritarian , military governments for decades . People against most recent coup massacred by military , U.S. and human rights groups say . More than 150 killed , scores raped in September protest .