Guinea election: Junta chief Doumbouya takes early lead

Guinea’s junta leader Mamady Doumbouya, who had committed to not seeking office after taking control four years ago, is reportedly leading in the presidential elections conducted over the weekend, based on preliminary results released late Monday.

Doumbouya, aged 41, contended with eight opponents for the presidency; however, the primary opposition figures were prohibited from participating and had called for a boycott of the election.

By entering the race, the general has gone back on his original promise to refrain from running for office and to restore the mineral-rich yet impoverished West African nation to civilian governance by the conclusion of 2024.

He secured a significant advantage in the districts of the capital, Conakry, frequently achieving over 80 percent of the votes, as per the official partial results announced on RTG public television by Djenabou Toure, the head of the General Directorate of Elections.

Doumbouya maintained a similar lead in various other regions, including Coyah, a town adjacent to Conakry, as well as in other areas of the country such as Boffa and Fria in the west, Gaoual in the northwest, northern Koundara and Labe, and Nzerekore in the southeast.

Voter turnout for Sunday’s elections was reported at 85 percent, according to Toure.

Nevertheless, a citizens’ movement advocating for the restoration of civilian governance has raised doubts about this figure.

“A significant majority of Guineans opted to boycott the electoral farce,” stated the National Front for the Defence of the Constitution in a declaration on Monday.

In September 2021, Doumbouya orchestrated a coup that ousted Guinea’s first democratically elected president, Alpha Conde.

He has imposed restrictions on civil liberties and prohibited protests, while opponents have faced arrest, trial, or forced exile.

– ‘Ballot stuffing’ allegations –

Candidate Abdoulaye Yero Balde criticized “serious irregularities,” specifically mentioning in a statement late Monday the denial of access to vote counting centers for his representatives and instances of “ballot stuffing” in certain locations.

Another candidate, Faya Millimono, expressed concerns over “electoral banditry,” which he attributed to undue influence on voters.
In late September, Guineans approved a new constitution in a referendum that permitted junta members to run for office, paving the way for Doumbouya’s candidacy.

The presidential terms were also extended from five to seven years, with the possibility of one renewal.

Cellou Dalein Diallo, the opposition leader and former prime minister, was among three opposition leaders prohibited from running under the new constitution.

Diallo's exclusion was due to his status as an exile, with his main residence located outside of Guinea.

Former president Conde, who was ousted by Doumbouya in 2021, along with ex-prime minister Sidya Toure, both of whom reside in exile, exceed the maximum age limit of 80.