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NewsDay

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Veteran leader on course for Equatorial Guinea poll win

International
President Obiang

Votes are being counted in Equatorial Guinea where President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo is set to extend his 43-year rule.

Preliminary results on the presidential election show that 80-year-old leader has received the majority of votes counted so far.

But the Convergence for Social Democracy (CPDS) party – one of only two opposition parties allowed to compete in the polls – has claimed flagrant and rampant irregularities that have plagued past elections.

The final results are expected later on Monday.

A diminished pool of opponents – many of whom are in exile – guarantees Mr Obiang a landslide victory, while the ruling party is expected to retain its commanding majority in the legislature.

Media restrictions and the repression of opposition marred the otherwise peaceful election.

A surprise decision to hold elections early was criticised, leading to a deadly raid by security forces on an opposition leader’s home in September.

Mr Obiang seized power in a military coup in 1979 when he overthrew his uncle who was serving as president.

He was widely speculated to hand over power to his son, Vice-President Teodorin Obiang Nguema, who is embroiled in numerous corruption scandals abroad.

 

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