Gabon’s constitutional court confirmed General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema’s overwhelming election win with 94.85% of the votes. This election marks the first since a military coup ended a decades-long political dynasty. Allegations of improper campaign practices arise amid a reported 70.11% voter turnout.
Gabon’s constitutional court has officially confirmed the victory of General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema in the April 12 presidential election. Oligui Nguema, who currently serves as the interim president following a coup earlier this year, received a significant 58,074 votes, representing an impressive 94.85% of the total ballots cast. These results were announced on Friday, marking a clear endorsement of his leadership.
His official tally was nearly 5% higher than the provisional results released shortly after the election by the Ministry of the Interior. Oligui Nguema faced off against seven opponents, with former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze trailing far behind at just 3%. None of the other candidates garnered more than 1%, highlighting the considerable disparity in voter support.
There have been accusations from Bilie-By-Nze asserting that Oligui Nguema utilized state resources during his campaign, a claim the government has firmly denied. Local observers reported that the election was conducted satisfactorily across almost all monitored polling stations.
The Constitutional Court reported a voter turnout of 70.11%, a figure lower than the 87.21% initially announced by the Interior Ministry following the election. Approximately 920,000 voters, including over 28,000 registered overseas, were eligible to cast their votes among the more than 3,000 polling stations set up for the election.
This election marks Gabon’s first since the military coup in 2023, which ended a political dynasty exceeding 50 years. With a population of 2.3 million, it was key for Gabon as many live in poverty despite the country’s oil wealth. Oligui Nguema, who previously led the Republican Guard, overthrew President Ali Bongo Ondimba nearly two years ago and aims to solidify his power with a seven-year term starting May 3.
In summary, General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema’s victory in Gabon’s presidential election, confirmed by the constitutional court, indicates a significant shift in the country’s political landscape after the recent military coup. With overwhelming support from voters, the challenges raised regarding campaign fairness and election integrity remain at the forefront. As Gabon faces its future under new leadership, the implications of this election will undoubtedly shape the nation’s trajectory in the coming years.
Original Source: www.newsday.com
