Iran Press/ Africa: In a press conference, the ECSL announced that Bio secured about 56.17 percent of the total votes, while the opposition All People's Congress candidate Samura Kamara got around 41.16 percent.
According to the law in the West African country, to be declared the winner of the presidential race, the leading presidential candidate must secure 55 percent of the votes cast.
Sierra Leone ran its presidential, parliamentary, and local council elections on June 24.
Main opposition candidate Samura Kamara immediately disputed the results showing he had received 41.16% of the vote in Saturday's election.
“It is a sad day for our beloved country,” Kamara tweeted after the announcement. “It is a frontal attack on our fledgling democracy. These results are NOT credible and I categorically reject the outcome so announced by the electoral commission.”
Supporters of both parties had claimed to have won in recent days, with Kamara saying earlier that he was on an “irreversible path to an overwhelming victory.” He also alleged that security forces had opened fire Sunday on a celebration at his party's headquarters, though police denied having fired live bullets.
Bio has faced increasing criticism because of debilitating economic conditions that Kamara pledged to improve. Nearly 60% of Sierra Leone’s population of more than 7 million are facing poverty, with youth unemployment being one of the highest in West Africa.
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