Ouattara wins presidential run-off in Côte d’Ivoire

[News_Editor]

Ouattara wins presidential run-off in Côte d’Ivoire

2010-12-03 02:05:47 GMT+7 (ICT)

ABIDJAN, COTE D'IVOIRE (BNO NEWS) -- Alassane Ouattara on Thursday was announced as the winner of the presidential run-off vote in Côte d'Ivoire beating incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo.

The country's Electoral Commission announced that the former Prime Minister Ouattara won 54 percent of the vote while president Gbagbo received 46 percent of the votes in the second round of the controversial elections.

The final outcome will be made by the Constitutional Council which took over the process after the Electoral Commission failed to give a deadline to announce the election results.

"The electoral commission has, in accordance with the law, handed over to the Constitutional Council, the results it has received and validated, accompanied by the result sheets," election commission chairman Youssouf Bakayoko said.

President Gbagbo previously announced that he will challenge the results of the election process over fraud allegations from the opposition. Gbagbo also vowed for the annulment of votes in four regions.

The presidential elections process was also marred with violent acts that delayed the announcement following the death of seven individuals. As a result, authorities imposed a curfew in the West African country since last Saturday

The country's electoral commission headquarters were closed and surrounded by police and soldiers. Security in the capital city Abidjan was also reinforced with troops. Last Sunday, Ivorian people voted in the presidential run-off election after the first round was held on October 31.

The elections are considered a major step in restoring stability in the country, which was split by civil war into a Government-held south and rebel Forces Nouvelles-controlled north in 2002. The landmark election initially had fourteen candidates.

International observers reported that there were some abuses during the polls but the United Nations reported that the presidential elections were "generally conducted in a democratic climate."

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