"Conflicting claims come before the release of official results by the country's electoral commission. The two leading candidates in Guinea-Bissau's presidential election incumbent Umaro Sissoco Embalo and main challenger Fernando Dias have both declared victory before the release of official results. Both campaigns had claimed on Monday that their contender exceeded the 50 percent threshold needed to win outright, eliminating the need for a run-off."
"We have won the presidential race. We will not have a second round, Dias told supporters in the capital, Bissau, adding that people were tired and wanted change. Hours later, Embalo's campaign spokesperson Oscar Barbosa also claimed the president had won outright, insisting there would be no run-off and calling on rivals to avoid making claims that undermine the electoral process."
"There was no immediate comment by the National Electoral Commission, which is expected to announce provisional results on Thursday, regarding the conflicting claims. Twelve candidates competed in Sunday's poll that saw a turnout of more than 65 percent. The African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), the movement that led the fight against Portuguese colonial rule, was barred from fielding a candidate for the first time."
Both leading presidential campaigns declared victory and asserted their candidate exceeded the 50 percent threshold required to avoid a run-off. Fernando Dias told supporters the race was won and said people wanted change, while Embalo's campaign spokesperson insisted the president had won outright and urged rivals not to undermine the electoral process. The National Electoral Commission had not immediately commented and is expected to announce provisional results on Thursday. Twelve candidates contested the election with turnout above 65 percent. The PAIGC was barred from fielding a candidate but endorsed Dias, and Embalo seeks a second presidential term amid mandate timing disputes.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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