Guinea elections: Military leader takes early lead in partial results
Results announced by the electoral body placed General Mamadi Doumbouya ahead in some districts, winning by more than 80 percent.
Guinea's military leader Mamadi Doumbouya, who is seeking to transform into a civilian president, has a large lead in presidential elections held at the weekend, according to initial results published late Monday.
General 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.
The general placed well ahead in districts of the capital, Conakry, often winning more than 80 percent, according to official partial results read out on RTG public television by Djenabou Toure, head of the General Directorate of Elections.
Doumbouya had a similar lead in several other areas, including Coyah, a town near Conakry, and in other parts of the country, such as Boffa and Fria in the west, Gaoual in the northwest, northern Koundara and Labe, and Nzerekore in the southeast.
Turnout in Sunday's polls was 85 percent, Toure said.
Alleged irregularities
Candidate Abdoulaye Yero Balde alleged "serious irregularities" in the election, citing in a statement late Monday in particular the refusal to grant his representatives access to vote counting centres and "ballot stuffing" in some areas.
In late September, Guineans approved a new constitution in a referendum that permitted the leadership of the military to run for office, paving the way for Doumbouya's candidacy.
It also lengthened presidential terms from five to seven years, renewable once.
Opposition leader and former prime minister Cellou Dalein Diallo was one of three opposition leaders barred from standing by the new constitution.
Diallo was excluded because he lives in exile and his primary residence is outside of Guinea.
Former president Conde, whom Doumbouya overthrew in 2021, and ex-prime minister Sidya Toure, both of whom also live in exile, are over the maximum age limit of 80.