Gabon’s Constitutional Court Confirms Oligui Nguema as Presidential Election Winner
Gabon’s constitutional court confirmed Gen. Oligui Nguema’s election win with 94.85% of the vote in a contested election post-coup. A gap in reported turnout rates raises questions. The election represents a crucial shift for Gabon following decades of political dynasty.
DAKAR, Senegal — On Friday, Gabon’s constitutional court officially validated Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema’s victory in the presidential election held on April 12, 2023. Oligui Nguema, who is currently the interim president following a coup last year, received 58,074 votes, translating to a striking 94.85% of the total votes cast, according to the court’s final tally.
Interestingly, Oligui Nguema’s final vote count was nearly 5% higher than the provisional results released by the Ministry of the Interior shortly after the polls closed. He defeated seven other candidates, with the previous Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze coming in second with only 3% of the votes. The remaining six candidates didn’t even manage to cross the 1% mark, marking a significant gap between the candidates.
In a statement to The Associated Press, Bilie-By-Nze accused Oligui Nguema of exploiting state resources for campaign purposes, a claim the government has vehemently denied. Election oversight indicated that the process was deemed satisfactory at most monitored polling stations.
The Constitutional Court reported a voter turnout of 70.11%, with approximately 920,000 registered voters, including over 28,000 from abroad. Notably, the Interior Ministry had previously reported a far higher turnout rate of 87.21% on the day after the election, indicating potential discrepancies in voter participation figures.
This election marked a significant moment for Gabon, as it was the first since the military coup that ended over 50 years of political rule under the Bongo family. With more than 2.3 million residents — about a third living in poverty despite Gabon’s oil wealth — the election was seen as pivotal for the country’s future.
Having overthrown President Ali Bongo Ondimba nearly two years ago, Oligui Nguema now aims to solidify his authority with the promise of a seven-year term. He is scheduled to be inaugurated on May 3, 2023, as the nation navigates its political future amid economic challenges.
In summary, Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has been officially confirmed as the winner of Gabon’s presidential election, amid claims of campaign irregularities and varying voter turnout figures. This is a key transition following a military coup, with Oligui Nguema looking to extend his control in a country where significant portions of the population remain in poverty despite abundant natural resources. His inauguration is set for May 3, 2023, marking a new chapter for Gabon.
Original Source: www.newsday.com
