Guinea's junta chief elected president after opposition boycott

"The head of Guinea's junta, Mamady Doumbouya, who had pledged not to run for office after seizing power four years ago, has been elected president after the country's electoral commission said he had secured a sweeping majority of the vote. Doumbouya, 41, faced eight rivals for the presidency but the main opposition leaders were barred from running and had urged a boycott of the vote held over the weekend."

"He secured 86.72% of the first-round vote, the country's election commission said late on Tuesday, well over the threshold that would trigger a runoff vote. Voter turnout stood at 80.95%, according to Djenabou Toure, the head of the general directorate of elections. Doumbouya had placed well ahead in districts of the capital, Conakry, often winning more than 80%, according to official partial results read out by Toure earlier on RTG public television."

"However, a citizens' movement calling for the return of civilian rule questioned the figure. A huge majority of Guineans chose to boycott the electoral charade, the National Front for the Defence of the Constitution said in a statement on Monday. In September 2021, Doumbouya led a coup to topple Guinea's first freely elected president, Alpha Conde. He has cracked down on civil liberties and banned protests, while opponents have been arrested, put on trial or driven into exile."

Mamady Doumbouya, head of Guinea's junta, won the presidency with 86.72% of the first-round vote, surpassing the threshold for a runoff. Voter turnout was reported at 80.95% by the electoral directorate. Main opposition leaders were barred from running and had urged a boycott, while several candidates alleged irregularities and electoral influence. Doumbouya led in Conakry and many regions, often exceeding 80% in official partial results. A citizens' movement called the vote an electoral charade and questioned the turnout figures. Doumbouya seized power in a September 2021 coup and has since restricted civil liberties, banned protests, and pursued opponents.

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