Guinea’s military leader, General Mamady Doumbouya, has been declared the winner of the country’s presidential election, marking a major political shift four years after he seized power in a coup.
According to provisional results released on Tuesday by Guinea’s election authority, Doumbouya secured 86.72 per cent of the votes cast in the first round, eliminating the need for a runoff. Voter turnout was put at 80.95 per cent.
Announcing the figures, the head of the General Directorate of Elections, Djenabou Touré, said the junta leader recorded overwhelming victories across several regions, including the capital, Conakry, where he reportedly polled more than 80 per cent in many districts.
“General Mamady Doumbouya obtained 86.72 per cent of the valid votes cast in the presidential election,” Touré said during a televised briefing.
The 41-year-old leader contested the election against eight other candidates.
However, major opposition figures were excluded from the race under the new constitutional framework, prompting calls for a boycott by opposition groups.
Despite earlier promises not to seek elected office and to restore civilian rule by the end of 2024, Doumbouya reversed his position following the adoption of a new constitution in September.
The revised constitution allows members of the ruling junta to run for office and extends presidential tenure from five to seven years, renewable once.
While official results suggest broad national support, opposition groups and civil society organisations have disputed the credibility of the vote. The National Front for the Defence of the Constitution described the election as a sham.
“A large majority of Guineans chose to boycott this electoral charade,” the group said in a statement.
Some rival candidates also raised concerns about the conduct of the poll. One of them, Abdoulaye Yero Baldé, alleged serious irregularities.
“Our representatives were denied access to vote-counting centres, and there were reports of ballot stuffing in some areas,” Baldé said.
Another candidate, Faya Millimono, accused authorities of what he termed “electoral banditry,” claiming voters were unduly influenced during the process.
Doumbouya came to power in September 2021 after leading a coup that ousted President Alpha Condé, Guinea’s first democratically elected leader.
Since then, his administration has been criticised by rights groups for restricting civil liberties, banning protests, and arresting or forcing critics into exile.
Several prominent opposition leaders, including former prime minister Cellou Dalein Diallo, were barred from contesting the election.
Diallo was excluded due to his residence outside Guinea, while former President Condé and ex-prime minister Sidya Touré were disqualified on age grounds.
As Guinea awaits the final confirmation of results, analysts say the election outcome could further deepen political tensions in the mineral-rich West African nation.
