CAR's Constitutional Court rules President Touadera won election with 78% of vote

The president of the Central African Republic Faustin Archange Touadera won a third term in last month's election with 78% of the vote, the constitutional court said on Monday, announcing final results.

His main opponent, Anicet-George Dologuele, who had appealed the provisional results complaining of electoral malpractice, won 13.5%, the court said, ruling that the appeal had been rejected.

Touadera, 68, went into the election in pole position after a new constitution was adopted in 2023, allowing him to seek a third term.

Dologuele also finished second to Touadera in the 2016 and 2020 elections.

Turnout recorded as 52%

Since Touadera was first elected in the middle of a civil war, unrest has eased.

The national election authority said turnout was just over 52% in the December 28 vote, which also included legislative, regional and municipal ballots.

Dologuele, a former prime minister, remains on course to win a seat in parliament during a second round of voting in the legislative election. A date has not yet been announced.

Another opposition figure, Henri-Marie Dondra, came in third place with just under 3% of the vote.