Gen Mamady Doumbouya has been elected president of Guinea after securing the majority of the vote, according to initial polling results published by the country’s election commission
The junta leader is hoping to legitimise his rule after seizing power in a coup four years ago.
A civil society group campaigning for the return of civilian rule condemned the election as a “charade” after his main challengers were barred from contesting, while opposition candidates said the poll was marred by irregularities.
On Monday, internet monitoring organisation NetBlocks reported that access to social media platforms TikTok, YouTube and Facebook had been restricted as Guineans waited for the full results.
There has been no official comment on the restrictions, but opponents see it as an attempt by the junta to stifle criticism of the results.
The provisional results announced on Tuesday showed Gen Doumbouya winning 86.72% of the 28 December vote, an absolute majority well over the threshold that would trigger a runoff vote. The victory gives the junta leader a seven-year mandate.
Should the results be challenged, the Supreme Court has eight days to validate them.
Opposition candidate Faya Millimono said on Monday that the election was marred by “systematic fraudulent practices”, citing expulsion of poll observers, ballot stuffing and intimidation.
The ruling party and the government have yet to comment on the complaints.
After overthrowing then-83-year-old President Alpha Condé in 2021, Gen Doumbouya promised not to seek election and to hand power to a civilian.
“Neither I nor any member of this transition will be a candidate for anything… As soldiers, we value our word very much,” he said at the time.
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