Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio secures re-election in a tightly contested vote

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Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio secures re-election in a tightly contested vote

NAIROBI (HORN OBSERVER) – Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio has secured re-election in a tightly contested presidential vote, as confirmed by the election commission.

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Chief Electoral Commissioner Mohamed Kenewui Konneh announced on Tuesday that Bio, aged 59, won with 56.17 percent of the vote.

NAIROBI (HORN OBSERVER) – Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio has secured re-election in a tightly contested presidential vote, as confirmed by the election commission.

However, his main rival quickly rejected the results.

Chief Electoral Commissioner Mohamed Kenewui Konneh announced on Tuesday that Bio, aged 59, won with 56.17 percent of the vote on Saturday.

Samura Kamara, the top candidate from the All People’s Congress (APC), came in second with 41.16 percent.

The threshold for victory was set at 55 percent, narrowly avoiding a second round.

Kamara, aged 72, categorically rejected the results, calling it a sad day for the country and an attack on democracy.

The election commission’s announcement followed competing claims of victory by both parties.

The APC criticized the lack of inclusiveness, transparency, and responsibility by the electoral commission, raising concerns about the credibility of the results.

European Union observers also expressed concerns about transparency and communication from the electoral authority, while the United States highlighted a lack of transparency in the vote counting process.

President Bio, a former coup leader, addressed the nation and called for peace following the provisional results.

The election took place amidst economic challenges, including high unemployment, inflation, and poverty rates in Sierra Leone.

The opposition party had hoped to leverage the country’s economic hardships for electoral success.

With over half the population living in poverty, Sierra Leone faces significant socio-economic hurdles that require attention in the coming term.