Sierra Leone: President Julius Maada Bio re-elected for a second term

President Julius Maada Bio was re-elected in the first round for a second term at the head of Sierra Leone with 56.17% of the vote, the head of the Electoral Commission said.

“By virtue of the powers vested in me, I hereby certify that Julius Maada Bio is elected President in the election of June 24, 2023,” Mohamed Kenewui Konneh said to applause at a press conference in Freetown on Tuesday.

Mr. Bio’s main opponent, Samura Kamara, came second with 41.16% of the vote, according to the final results of the electoral authority. The previous day, partial results giving the incumbent president over 55% of the vote had been rejected by the opposition, which criticized the electoral commission’s lack of inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability.

The election took place generally peacefully, although some violent incidents were reported during voting and at the closing and counting stages. On Sunday evening, a woman was killed at the opposition headquarters as security forces sought to disperse the gathered crowd.

Some 3.4 million people were called on Saturday to choose between 13 candidates for the presidential election, a ballot that resembled a 2018 rematch between Mr. Bio, a 59-year-old retired military officer seeking a second term, and Mr. Kamura, a 72-year-old technocrat.