Melissa's hostile to president first in our college touadera have stepped up attacks in the run up to the presidential and legislative election.

That's after several candidates, including former President Francois Bozize A, were barred from standing earlier this month.

Touadera on the U.

N, which has 12,800 uniformed peacekeepers in the impoverished but mineral rich country, have accused disease A of being behind the rebel offensive.

And there are concerns that a substantial number of Central African Republic's 1.8 million registered voters will be disenfranchised by the violence specifically in remote towns, some of which are controlled by armed rebels.

Some polling stations in the capital, Bungie, opened with a slight delay amid heavy security following sporadic gunfire heard overnight.

Heavy gunfire was also heard early on Sunday in the town of Bor, around 270 miles northwest of the capital, according Toa one resident.

This opposition figures had called for Sunday's vote to be delayed, but this was rejected by the government on the U.

N amid fears a power vacuum could worsen the crisis.