The Guinea opposition leader, Cellou Dalein Diallo has declared his triumph over the incumbent president, Alpha Conde in a series of posts on Twitter.
However, the government has decried his action and described it as a ‘premature and unjustified celebration’.
In a series of tweets on Monday, October 18, Diallo said despite serious anomalies that marred the smooth running of the election: ”I emerged victorious from this election in the first round.”
Cellou Dalein Diallo urged ‘follow citizens to remain vigilant, mobilized to defend this victory for democracy’.
Diallo participated in Sunday’s election alongside nearly a dozen other candidates, including Conde, who has been in office since 2010.
Diallo his appreciated his party members, including those who supported him for their support.
”I invite all my fellow citizens who love peace and justice to stay vigilant and committed to defend this democratic victory,” Diallo tweeted.
In a statement, the government said Diallo’s intention is to sow chaos and question the real results that will come out of the polls.
”This cannot and will not be accepted,” the statement stated.
”This strategy of forced, premature, and unjustified celebration was carefully planned long before the ballot by Mr. Cellou Dalein Diallo,” it added.
Guinea has a two-round electoral system, with a second round triggered if no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote in the first.
In March 2020 a new Constitution passed via referendum reset presidential terms, allowing Conde to seek a third term.
Meanwhile, the UN secretary-general called on ”all national stakeholders to ensure that the polls are conducted in an inclusive and peaceful manner.”
