Polls are closed and ballots being counted in Sierra Leone's presidential election. Results are expected within a couple of days. Police have reported a series of attacks on candidates and supporters since the first round. The main opposition party complained that a heavy police presence inside polling stations caused a low voter turnout. Observers say the election between the two top candidates is a virtual dead heat. Susan Mowngeli is in Freetown and filed this report.

Most polling centers opened on time, but with far shorter queues than expected. Voters were choosing between two candidates after the first round of vote failed to produce an outright winner. Both candidates have already expressed confidence of a win.

DR. SAMURA KAMARA PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "I'm very confident that our preparations are on track. I will accept the vote if it's free and fair."

JULIUS MAADA BIO PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "Results are going to show that I am in the lead, as I've always done. I am leading and I will continue to lead."

The runoff vote was originally scheduled for March 27, but was delayed for three days after the ruling party filed a complaint of fraud against the electoral commission. This time though, the electoral commission says it is well equipped.

SUSAN MWONGELI FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE "Voting has been smooth for the most part, but in some polling centers like this one, tension is high and so is the security deployment."

Authorities say the heavy police and military presence is necessary to secure the vote. Others see it as intimidation. Among the 3.1 million eligible voters is Mary Kaloko, an Ebola survivor. She contracted the disease while taking care of her boyfriend who eventually succumbed. She hopes the vote will be peaceful.

MARY KALOKO "We are hoping that the new government will come to take good care of us, looking after us because there are a lot of promises, saying they will take care of us, give us goods, food. Maybe most of the people die because they are not taken care of."

Results are expected to be released in the next few days, though the electoral commission has two weeks to give final results. In the meantime, though, the commission is appealing for patience. SM, CGTN, FT, SL.