A 'daunting task'
The National Election Authority will announce the preliminary results in the coming days. They have to be confirmed by the country's Constitutional Court to become official. If a single candidate doesn't win majority, given the large number of contenders, a second round of voting is likely to take place on January 31.
"Whoever wins will have the daunting task to try to change the equation in the country," said Onanga-Anyanga. "Overwhelmingly what people are saying is, they want the new leadership to govern them better; they want a government that will be able to reconcile them."
In 2013, mainly Muslim Seleka rebels seized power from the government of former President Francois Bozize, fueling reprisals from Christian anti-balaka militias.
Pope Francis, who visited the country in November, called for Christians and Muslims to end the atrocities and live in peace.