Guinea’s military ruler, General Mamady Doumbouya, who took power through a coup in 2021, has officially won the country’s presidential election with an overwhelming majority.
According to provisional results released on Tuesday by the General Directorate of Elections, Doumbouya secured 86.72% of total votes, comfortably surpassing the threshold required to avoid a runoff. Voter turnout was recorded at 80.95%, signalling massive participation nationwide.
Doumbouya, 41, contested the poll against eight other candidates. However, the election has faced criticism as several key opposition figures were barred from participating under the country’s newly adopted constitution. Opposition groups had earlier called for a nationwide boycott of the election.
Official figures showed Doumbouya dominated the vote across major regions, including the capital Conakry, where he scored more than 80% in several districts. He also led in areas such as Coyah, Boffa, Fria, Gaoual, Labe, Koundara and Nzerekore.
Opposition Rejects Results, Raises Alarm Over Credibility
Despite the declared landslide victory, civil society groups and opposition members have strongly questioned the credibility of the exercise.
A pro-democracy coalition, the National Front for the Defence of the Constitution, described the election as a sham, insisting that “a huge majority of Guineans chose to boycott the electoral charade.”
Some opposition candidates who took part in the election also raised concerns about alleged irregularities. Abdoulaye Yero Balde accused election officials of ballot stuffing and claimed his representatives were denied access to vote-count centres. Another candidate, Faya Millimono, labelled the process “electoral banditry,” alleging voter intimidation and manipulation.
From Coup to Ballot – How Doumbouya Rose to Power
General Doumbouya became Guinea’s head of state in September 2021, after leading the coup that overthrew former President Alpha Condé, the country’s first democratically elected leader.
Since taking power, the junta has faced backlash over restrictions on civil liberties, including the ban on protests and the arrest or exile of political critics.
A major turning point came in September this year when Guineans approved a new constitution via referendum, which:
Permitted junta members to contest elections
Extended presidential terms from 5 years to 7 years (renewable once)
This new constitution also disqualified several prominent politicians. Former Prime Minister Cellou Dalein Diallo was barred over residency requirements, while former President Alpha Condé and ex-Prime Minister Sidya Touré were excluded for being over the new age limit of 80.