Sierra Leone’s electoral commission announced that Julius Maada Bio won the presidential election with more than 56% of the vote, avoiding a runoff with Samura Kamara.
After a first term marked by economic dissatisfaction, Bio, 59, sought re-election.
“I hereby certify that Bio Julius Maada having polled… 56.17% of the total valid vote cast… is elected president,” said Sierra Leone’s chief election commissioner Mohamed Kenewui Konneh.
Kamara, 72, who narrowly lost in 2018, earned 41% of the vote.
“These results are not credible and I categorically reject the outcome so announced by the electoral commission,” Kamara tweeted after the final results were released.
Violence predated, persisted, and followed the election. As results were published, fears grew that more violence might erupt if none of the 13 contenders received 55% of the vote to avoid a rurunoffKamara’s camp has rejected partial results showing Bio ahead, citing anomalies and lack of transparency.
International observers and the US are also concerned about counting transparency.
Konneh said legitimate voters could appeal election results in the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone within seven days. After Monday’s provisional results, Bio urged calm.
