Guinea’s main opposition leader, Cellou Dalein has thrown the country into a shock after declaring himself president.
The opposition leader made the announcement comes after the country’s National Electoral Commission counted Sunday’s vote.
The commission is yet to release the result of the election, promoting it to condemn the action of the opposition leader.
Diallo who is among the 11 presidential contenders including the incumbent PresidentAlpha Conde who changed the country’s constitution that allowed on two terms of five years for every President.
Diallo party, UDFG said Conde’s candidacy was illegal hence casting doubt on the electoral commission’s competence. Diallo also accused the 81-year-old President of seeking to rig the elections.
“Despite the serious anomalies that marred the smooth running of the election, and in view of the results that came out of the ballot boxes, I am victorious in this election in the first round,” Diallo declared in a brief statement issued out to the media in the capital, Conakry on Monday.
“I invite all my fellow citizens who love peace and justice to stay vigilant and committed to defending this democratic victory,” he added.
According to his party, it was able to conduct its own counting through its party agents since the results at individual polling stations were out.
Diallo’s announcement triggered celebrations among his supporters in and out of the UDFG headquarters.
Security forces are said to have fired tear gas to disperse the celebrating supports of the opposition
The electoral commission in a statement described the declaration by the opposition leader as “irresponsible” and “dangerous”. Stating that it has the sole mandate as per the constitution to declare the winner of the elections.
The ruling party, RPG described the action by Diallo as irresponsible”, noting that the opposition UFDG was bent on provoking chaos.
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RPG however urged its supporters to stay calm as the country waits for official results that are set to be announced on Wednesday.
In case there would be a second round of voting which had been scheduled for November 24. It is the third time the two political rivals are facing off in the contest for the presidency since 2010.
Diallo,68, Guinea’s former Prime Minister, has rejected all two past elections. Monday’s announcement raised fear of further violence in a country that has so far registered over 90 deaths related to elections.
