BANGUI, Central African Republic — Central African Republic went ahead with a presidential runoff vote Sunday that many hope will affirm a tentative peace after more than two years of sectarian fighting left thousands dead and forced nearly 500,000 people to flee to neighboring countries.

Armored UN personnel carriers roamed the streets of the capital, Bangui, as residents headed to the polls on foot and by motorcycle. Some 2,000 UN peacekeepers were deployed in the capital while 8,000 others tried to secure the vote in the largely anarchic provinces.

Sunday’s vote was absent the gunfire heard during earlier balloting, though many voters complained that their names weren’t on the list at their polling station while others were turned away for lack of photo identification. Results were not expected for days.

Residents set aside painful memories of the chaos that intensified in late 2013 when Christian militia fighters attacked Bangui, unleashing cycles of retaliatory violence.

A new spasm of violence late last year effectively barricaded most of Bangui’s remaining Muslims inside one district for several months, while scores of homes were razed in Christian neighborhoods.

On Sunday, voters chose between two former prime ministers, both Christians promising to unite the country.

Front-runner Anicet Georges Dologuele received about 24 percent in the first round. However, Faustin Archange Touadera has strong support after placing second in the December balloting.

ASSOCIATED PRESS