Alpha Conde has won a second term as Guinea’s president, the country’s election commission has announced, six days after polling ended.
The 77-year-old won in the first round with about 58% of votes cast.
Main opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo, who has denounced the vote as fraudulent, won 31%. He has called for peaceful protests against the outcome.
EU observers said the vote was valid despite some logistical problems.
Candidates now have eight days to file complaints before the constitutional court validates the results.
Photo Reuters
However, Cellou Dalein Diallo said in a statement he would not appeal to the court.
“I will invite the other candidates and all the citizens who are the real victims of this electoral hold-up to organize, conforming to the law, peaceful demonstrations to express our disapproval of this situation,” he said.
Cellou Dalein Diallo pulled out of the elections on October 14 alleging fraud.
The allegations included ballot boxes being stuffed and some 400 polling stations staying closed.
Figures released on October 16 showed a turnout of about 66% of Guinea’s six million registered voters.
It was Guinea’s second democratic presidential election since independence from France in 1958.
Clashes during the election campaign claimed several lives.
Alpha Conde became president in 2010 in Guinea’s first democratic election after decades of fighting authoritarian regimes, during which he was sent into exile and prison.
In that election, Alpha Conde defeated Cellou Dalein Diallo in a run-off.
Guinea is voting to elect a new president amid violent clashes between opposition and pro-government supporters.
Seven candidates are competing against President Alpha Conde, who is hoping to win a second term.
Alpha Conde’s main challenger, Cellou Dalein Diallo, has urged his supporters to vote despite Guinea’s top court rejecting his plea for a delay.
The 2010 election saw a transition from military to civilian rule.
Since then Guinea has been badly hit by an Ebola outbreak and seen prices of key export bauxite – the raw material in aluminum – slump.
Opposition parties had wanted the vote postponed due to alleged anomalies in Guinea’s electoral roll, but this has been rejected by the election commission.
At least three people have been killed in pre-election violence.
Alpha Conde is favorite to win the election but a second round of voting is likely.
Supreme Court in Guinea has upheld September’s election results which saw President Alpha Conde’s RPG party winning the most seats.
Opposition parties have tried to annul the vote, alleging fraud.
International observers said the election in the West African nation was marred by irregularities.
The ruling means the RPG (Rally of the Guinean People) won 53 seats, which falls short of an absolute majority in the 114-seat parliament.
Supreme Court in Guinea has upheld September’s election results which saw President Alpha Conde’s RPG party winning the most seats
“None of the complaints were supported with the necessary proof,” said Supreme Court President Mamadou Sylla.
President Alpha Conde’s main rival, Cellou Dalein Diallo, and his UFDG party won 37 seats while former PM Sidya Toure’s UFR secured 10 seats.
The remainder of seats was shared by 12 smaller parties and a period of coalition building is now expected.
A spokesman for an umbrella group of opposition parties said they were disappointed by the court’s ruling but would hold talks before announcing their next step.
The election was to replace a transitional government that has run the nation since military rule ended in 2010.
The run-up was marred by violence as well as ethnic and religious tension.
The poll was much delayed and was supposed to have been held six months after the 2010 presidential elections, which Alpha Conde narrowly won.
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