Guinea president wins third term amidst violence

Incumbent Alpha Conde of Guinea has won the country’s disputed presidential election with 59.5 per cent of the votes to secure a controversial third term, according to the election commission.

The announcement came after days of violence in the wake of the October 18 poll.

The opposition says 27 people have been killed, while officials have put the death toll at about 10, according to a report by Aljazeera.

The victory, which requires confirmation by the Constitutional Court, gives a third term in office to the 82-year-old after a bitterly fought election in which the opposition said Conde had no right to participate.

The President says a constitutional referendum in March reset his two-term limit, but opponents say he is breaking the law by holding on to power.

Results were announced in batches in recent days and already showed Conde with an unassailable lead, sparking street protests in opposition strongholds.

On Friday, the internet and international calling were cut off across Guinea.

Opposition candidate, Cellou Dalein Diallo, Conde’s nearest rival with 33.5 per cent of the votes, says he has evidence of fraud and plans to file a complaint with the Constitutional Court.