The two candidates came first and second in the first round of the presidential election.

The Central African Republic is gradually turning the dark conflict page of its history to that of peaceful and admired conduct of the electoral process  that will ultimately bring to an end the transition process set up in 2014.

When the first round of the presidential election was finally slated for December 30, 2015 after several postponements, the world held its breathe to see the process go through without the hitherto characteristic violence. And it came to pass that the twin legislative and presidential election last December 30 took place without the slightest violence with a pass mark in the participation rate. 

Some 30 candidates were on the starting line but only two sailed through to the final phase which is the second round of the polls slated for January 31, 2016. Electors will on this historic day choose between two former Prime Ministers Anicet-Georges Dologuélé and Faustin Archange Touadéra.  Mr Dologuélé came first scoring 23.78 per cent of the votes cast and Touadéra was second with 19.42 per cent of the votes cast.

The Constitutional Court is still to rule on petitions before officially proclaiming the results of the first round of the presidential poll. In the meantime, anthill activities have characterized the campaign headquarters of the two contenders Dologuélé and Touadéra.

On Sunday, January 10, 2016, a group of 20 candidates who participated in the first round of the election during a rally in the capital, Bangui declared their support for the independent candidate Fautin Archange Touadéra. Reports say the declared support gives Mr Touadéra who came second in the first round, additional 20 per cent of the votes in case the participation rate remains stable. Jean-Baptiste Koba, the spokesperson for a group of parties supporting Mr Touadéra said their support was due to his personality and his past history.

Talking to RFI, Jean-Baptiste Koba, reportedly said Touadéra is a reserved and prudent manager.  He said that in the specific social and political situation the country was going through,  they needed somebody who can incarnate the aspirations of all.

Anicet Georges Dologuélé is a 58-years old economists who once served at the Bank of Central African States (BEAC). He was Prime Minister under the reign of former President Ange-Felix Patassé between 1999 to 2001.  After the National Elections Authority declared the partial results of the presidential poll, Liberation newspaper reported, he said he was satisfied. He further said that with the scores, the formation of alliances was imperative and that would necessitate the drive towards a logical coming together which was positive for the country.

Faustin Archange Touadéra considered as outside as he is an independent candidate is a Mathematician. He was Prime Minister under former President François Bozizé 2008 until he was ousted in 2013. Diplomats in Bangui reportedly say, he is  as a modest person and  close to the people. Liberation newspaper says civil servants appreciate him because during his stewardship as Prime Minister salaries were paid.