Claims of electoral victory made by opposition leader, Cellou Dalein Diallo have been dismissed by Guinea’s electoral body.
Mr Diallo had on Monday told his supporters that he won the first round of presidential polls in the West African country while official results are yet to be proclaimed by the nation’s electoral body.
“Despite the serious anomalies that marred the smooth running of the … election and in view of the results that came out of the ballot boxes, I am victorious in this election in the first round,” Diallo told ecstatic supporters, a day after Sunday votings.
The opposition leader’s self-proclaimed victory inspired joyous celebrations among his supporters who chanted “Cellou, president”.
Elsewhere in the country, celebrations devolved into clashes with security operatives trying to maintain order.
69-year-old Diallo is the main challenger to Guinea’s 82-year-old incumbent two-term President Alpha Conde.
President Conde pushed through constitutional reforms in March to make himself eligible for contesting a third term in office.
The controversial move didn’t sit well with citizens who embarked on mass protests triggering crackdowns that led to the death of dozens.
Reacting to Diallo’s self-proclaimed victory, the spokesman of Guinea electoral commission, Mamadi Kaba said: “I would therefore like to reassure the people of Guinea who voted yesterday in peace, without violence, that no provisional results have been proclaimed for the time being.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission is the only institution empowered to proclaim provisional results.”
Meanwhile, Conde’s RPG party has condemned Diallo for his un-officials proclamation, describing it as “irresponsible and dangerous.”
The party also called on citizens to remain calm.
