The decree from Konate, who is also leader of the ruling military junta, was read on national television Wednesday night.

The head of the West African country's National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI), in agreement with the prime minister, had proposed this Sunday, October 31, as the election date. But the presidential decree Wednesday night meant that elections will be moved back a week.

One candidate, Cellou Dalein Diallo, had said that the October 31 date was too soon after political and ethnic violence around the country, which killed at least two people in the past week. Diallo said that more than a thousand people have been forced from their homes after violence in Kankan, Siguiri and Kissidougou -- strongholds of his rival, Alpha Conde.

"The second round of the presidential election is set for Sunday, November 7th, 2010," said Mohamed Kasse, director of the president's press office on national TV.

Kasse also noted that the two candidates would travel together to regions hit by violence in the past week, in an effort the keep the peace.