Guinea’s opposition leader declares election win

Guinea’s opposition leader, Cellou Dalein Diallo, has declared himself the winner of Sunday’s presidential election ahead of the official announcement of results.

The electoral body termed Diallo’s self-proclaimed victory in the first round of a presidential election ‘void’.

Diallo’s supporters chanted ‘Cellou, president’. But elsewhere in the city, joyous celebrations by supporters devolved into clashes with security forces.

Diallo, 68, is the main challenger to Guinea’s 82-year-old incumbent President Alpha Conde, who is seeking a controversial third term after he had in March pushed for certain constitutional reforms to enable him contest again. The move sparked mass protests and subsequent crackdowns, which killed dozens of people.

Mr Diallo told journalists and his supporters that he had won the first round despite ‘anomalies’.

The electoral commission said vote counting was still ongoing and that it was the only body mandated to announce the winner.

Mr Diallo’s supporters who had taken to the streets to celebrate were dispersed by police. He later tweeted that three people had been killed and several others injured by the police.

Guineans had protested for months following the decision by President Alpha Condé to run for a third term.

Results of the tensed election are expected by Wednesday after which candidates have eight days to appeal.

Presidential candidates need more than 50% of the vote for an outright victory, or there will be a second round on 24 November.