afrol News / A Semana, 27 July - Lack of security is the main reason for the delay in the announcement of the results from Guinea-Bissau's presidential run-off election, which pitted Manan Bacai Sanha against João Bernardo "Nino" Vieira. National Elections Commission president Malam Mané promises to announce the results of Sunday's elections by tomorrow.

After an attempted assault in the early morning hours Wednesday on the National Elections Commission headquarters in Bissau, the institution's president decided to postpone the announcement of the provisional results of Guinea-Bissau's presidential elections until tomorrow.

In declarations to the press, El Haj Malam Mané did not reveal the identity of the individuals who tried to break in to the Commission's headquarters, but called the situation worrisome and, as a result, gave orders to postpone the publication of the preliminary results of the second round of Sunday's presidential elections by one day.

Mr Malam Mané said that as long as authorities provide security guarantees, the election results will be publicised Thursday, although he did not specify the time and place of the announcement.

The president of the National Elections Commission (CNE) also announced that he would ask Interior Minister Mumine Embalo for security reinforcements surrounding the building that houses the Commission's headquarters.

There has been some unrest surrounding the elections in Guinea-Bissau, most of it being attributed to the followers of ex-President Kumba Yala, who came third in the first round of the presidential poll. Followers of Mr Yala are also accused of having stood behind the last violent incident, on 16 July, when a group of armed men unsuccessfully tried to attack the presidential palace and Interior Ministry of Guinea-Bissau. One policeman died and two were injured in the attack.

Guinea-Bissau is now awaiting the results of the second and final presidential election round, which was organised peacefully on Sunday. According to the CNE, voter turnout however had been much lower than in the first round, where an estimated 87 percent of voters had participated.

International election observers from West Africa, the European Union and Portuguese speaking countries all have verified that the first and second election rounds have been carried out in a free and fair way, despite protests by Mr Yala. No serious irregularities have been noted, except attacks by Mr Yala himself.

By A Semana & afrol News staff

© afrol News / A Semana

Related pages and feature

Current afrol News Top Stories