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S Leone opposition win presidency S Leone opposition celebrate win
(about 4 hours later)
Opposition leader Ernest Bai Koroma has won Sierra Leone's presidential election run-off, say national election commission officials. Opposition supporters bedecked in red have been out on the streets of the Sierra Leonean capital, Freetown, as they celebrate their election victory.
He won 54.6% of the vote while his rival Vice-President Solomon Berewa of the ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) obtained 45.4%. All People's Congress leader Ernest Bai Koroma won 54.6% of the vote in the presidential run-off.
At the weekend, the SLPP sought an injunction to try to stop publication of more presidential election results. His rival, Vice-President Solomon Berewa of the governing Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) obtained 45.4%.
The party had expressed concern about reports of high voter turnouts. The national election commission said that flaws in the vote were not enough to invalidate the result.
Prior to a decade-long civil war, Sierra Leone had a series of rigged elections. The national electoral commission was asked to investigate reports of suspect ballots at 14 polling stations, where the turnout was reported as 100% or more, compared to a national average of 68%.
Mr Koroma is an insurance broker who says he wants to run the country like a business concern. Amid such concerns the SLPP sought an injunction to try to stop the publication of any further results.
But by the time the High Court looked at the application and deemed it required resubmission, the result had already been announced.
In any event, the electoral commission had pointed out that most, though not all, of the suspect results were in SLPP strongholds.
President in waiting
Ernest Bai Koroma is an insurance broker who says he wants to run the country like a business concern.
PROFILE With an ebullient character, Koroma stands tall with charisma. The 54-year-old insurance broker says he wants to run the country like a business concern APC's Ernest Bai Koroma
The 54-year-old leader of the All People's Congress party ran a slick campaign - calling for change.The 54-year-old leader of the All People's Congress party ran a slick campaign - calling for change.
But opponents say his party mismanaged the country for two decades leading up to the war. Opponents say his party mismanaged the country for two decades leading up to the war but such criticisms were not enough to deflect an electorate seeking a change.
Opponent disappointed His rival for the presidency, Solomon Ekuma Berewa, had been a surprise choice - named as the SLPP candidate by the incumbent President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah at a time when he was not even a card-carrying member of the party.
His rival for the presidency, Solomon Ekuma Berewa, was a surprise choice - named as the SLPP candidate by the incumbent President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah at a time when he was not even a card-carrying member of the party.
Solomon Berewa has seven days to challenge the result
As Attorney General, Mr Berewa helped negotiate an end to Sierra Leone's civil war and though a veteran 69 years old, his reputation as a workaholic convinced many he had the stamina for the top job.As Attorney General, Mr Berewa helped negotiate an end to Sierra Leone's civil war and though a veteran 69 years old, his reputation as a workaholic convinced many he had the stamina for the top job.
But observers say high levels of corruption prevented the governing SLPP from delivering basic public services and this fatally damaged their campaign. But observers say high levels of corruption prevented the governing SLPP from delivering basic public services and this fatally damaged his campaign.
Architect of transition Mr Berewa is reported to have congratulated his rival.
The national electoral commissioner, Christiana Thorpe has launched investigations into at least 14 cases of alleged electoral fraud.
The ex-nun running the polls has won respect
Most, though not all, were reported in SLPP strongholds where an unlikely turnout of 100% or more was reported compared to a 68% national average.
Dr Thorpe said these flaws were not sufficient to affect the final result.
International observers praised the NEC's conduct of the election which was largely free, fair and peaceful - but that has not prevented some SLPP members from talking of a possible legal challenge.
Under Sierra Leone law, the official results can be challenged by petition to the Supreme Court within seven days of their announcement by electoral authorities.