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Sierra Leone election: Julius Maada Bio re-elected as opposition cries foul Sierra Leone election: Julius Maada Bio re-elected as opposition cries foul
(about 1 hour later)
Julius Maada Bio was first elected in 2018 Julius Maada Bio, a retired soldier, was first elected in 2018
Incumbent Julius Maada Bio has been declared the winner of Sierra Leone's presidential election but the opposition has disputed the count.Incumbent Julius Maada Bio has been declared the winner of Sierra Leone's presidential election but the opposition has disputed the count.
Official figures say that Mr Bio gained 56% of the vote. His main rival, Samura Kamara, trailed far behind with 41%. Official figures give Mr Bio 56% of the vote. His main rival, Samura Kamara, trailed far behind with 41%.
After the first tranche of results were released on Monday, Dr Kamara called the outcome "daylight robbery".After the first tranche of results were released on Monday, Dr Kamara called the outcome "daylight robbery".
International election observers have highlighted problems with transparency in the tallying process.International election observers have highlighted problems with transparency in the tallying process.
Saturday's vote took place amid tension but President Bio had called on Sierra Leoneans to "keep the peace".Saturday's vote took place amid tension but President Bio had called on Sierra Leoneans to "keep the peace".
The 59-year-old is due to be sworn in for his second five-year term soon. The rivalry between him and Dr Kamara, 72, was a repeat of the closely fought 2018 election, which went to a second round. The 59-year-old, a former soldier, is due to be sworn in for his second and final five-year term soon.
The retired army brigadier took part in a military coup during the country's civil war in 1992, only to overthrow the military junta itself in 1996 and pave the way for free elections that year.
Scenes of celebration have been reported in the capital, Freetown, with Mr Bio's supporters hoisting his banner and marching across the wet streets of the city.
The rivalry between him and Dr Kamara, 72, was a repeat of the closely fought 2018 election, which went to a second round.
This time Dr Kamara, who was the candidate for the All People's Congress (APC), has alleged that his electoral agents were not allowed to verify the ballot counting.This time Dr Kamara, who was the candidate for the All People's Congress (APC), has alleged that his electoral agents were not allowed to verify the ballot counting.
In the run-up to the vote, the APC had made complaints about the electoral commission. However, the commission insisted that it had mechanisms in place to ensure a fair vote.In the run-up to the vote, the APC had made complaints about the electoral commission. However, the commission insisted that it had mechanisms in place to ensure a fair vote.
The presidential, parliamentary and local council elections came at the end of a campaign marred by several violent incidents.The presidential, parliamentary and local council elections came at the end of a campaign marred by several violent incidents.
Last week, the APC alleged that one of its supporters was shot dead by police, which the police denied.Last week, the APC alleged that one of its supporters was shot dead by police, which the police denied.
The party has said that another one of its backers was killed when security forces tried to break up the crowd outside its headquarters in Freetown on Sunday. The party has said that another one of its backers was killed when security forces tried to break up the crowd at its headquarters in Freetown on Sunday.
Members of Mr Bio's party, the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP), have said they were attacked by opponents during campaigning.Members of Mr Bio's party, the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP), have said they were attacked by opponents during campaigning.
The campaign took place against a backdrop of a troubled economy, the rising cost of living and concerns about national unity.The campaign took place against a backdrop of a troubled economy, the rising cost of living and concerns about national unity.
This was Sierra Leone's fifth election since the civil war ended in 2002. Mr Bio, who blamed the country's woes on external factors such as the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine, now has the task of solving these problems.
The 11-year conflict cost an estimated 50,000 lives, but since then the country has had a tradition of largely peaceful, free and credible elections, according to Marcella Samba Sesay, chairperson of the NGO National Elections Watch. The election is the fifth since Sierra Leone's 11-year civil war officially ended in 2002. It was a particularly brutal conflict, with 50,000 deaths and thousands of people estimated to have had their arms and limbs amputated.
But since then the country has had a tradition of largely peaceful, free and credible elections, according to Marcella Samba Sesay, chairperson of the non-governmental organisation National Elections Watch.
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