Guinea’s opposition decries ‘poll results fraud’

The opposition in Guinea has denounced what it called a large-scale fraud aimed at preventing it from winning Sunday’s presidential election.

The campaign manager for the main opposition challenger, Cellou Dalein Diallo, said the administration of President Alpha Condé was doing everything possible to modify the results in its favour.

At least three people have died since Mr Diallo claimed victory.

Meanwhile AU, ECOWAS monitors announced that the  Guinea election was conducted properly.

The announcement comes despite the opposition leader claiming irregularities and declaring himself winner of first round before release of official results.

Monitors from the African Union and the West African regional bloc have said Guinea’s recent presidential election was conducted properly, amid rising tensions ahead of the release of official results.

Addressing reporters in the capital, Conakry, Augustin Matata Ponyo, the AU’s head of mission in Guinea, said on Tuesday the ballot took place “in transparency”.

Jose Maria Neves, the head of the monitoring mission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc, agreed the voting process was lawful and urged candidates to “use legal channels to settle election disputes”.

The commission will announce provisional results within three days of receiving the last polling-station tally. The Constitutional Court will then have eight days to declare a winner. A second round of voting, if needed, is scheduled for November 24.