Guinea-Bissau's incumbent president concedes election defeat

KIGALI (Rwanda), Nov 29 -- Guinea-Bissau’s incumbent President Jose Mario Vaz admitted defeat Thursday in weekend presidential elections and accepted the results, Anadolu Agency reported, quoting local media.

Speaking at a press conference in the capital Bissau, Vaz however said he still believed there were some irregularities in the polls.

“I remain true to the ideals of peace, democracy and freedom that have always guided me and will accept any results that are published by the electoral management body, the National Election Commission,” local media quoted him as saying.

“There were irregularities in the east of the country, including ballot stuffing with pre-ticked ballots before polling day. However, despite the irregularities, I accept the results in order to contribute to the pacification of society,” he said.

The West African country is headed for a runoff on Dec 29, according to preliminary results announced Wednesday by election officials.

Domingos Simoes Pereira, the candidate of the ruling African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde -- who was fired by Vaz as prime minister in 2015 -- garnered the most votes with 40 per cent, according to the Electoral Commission.

Former Prime Minister Umaro Sissoco Embalo got 28 per cent of the vote while Vaz, who contested on an independent ticket, garnered only 12 per cent-rendering him ineligible to take part in the run-off vote.

The outgoing leader also congratulated all the candidates who participated in the elections and wished Pereira and Embalo well. They will compete for the presidency in the second round.

-- BERNAMA