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Central African Republic (CAR) President Faustin-Archange Touad\u00e9ra has won a third term in office after securing an outright majority in last month’s presidential election, provisional results show.<\/p>\n
The 68-year-old mathematics professor was widely expected to win after the main opposition coalition boycotted the election, citing concerns about electoral fairness.<\/p>\n
Touad\u00e9ra campaigned on his security record in the chronically unstable nation after rebels seized power in 2013, a crisis that led the government to enlist support from Russian mercenaries and Rwandan soldiers.<\/p>\n
He has faced heavy criticism after a 2023 constitution removed term limits, allowing him to keep running for office.<\/p>\n
More than 2.4 million people registered for the 28 December general election, which observers described as largely peaceful despite delays caused by late polling materials and problems with the electoral register.<\/p>\n
Touad\u00e9ra secured 76% of the vote, according to preliminary results announced late on Monday by the election agency.<\/p>\n
His closest challengers, Anicet-Georges Dologu\u00e9l\u00e9 and Henri-Marie Dondra, both former prime ministers, received 15% and about 3% of the vote, respectively.<\/p>\n
Both have called for the results to be annulled, alleging widespread irregularities and electoral fraud.<\/p>\n
On Friday, Dologu\u00e9l\u00e9 said there had been “a methodical attempt to manipulate” the electoral outcome.<\/p>\n
The main opposition coalition, known by its French acronym BRDC, boycotted the election, saying it was unlikely to be fair.<\/p>\n
The government has denied the claims.<\/p>\n
The Constitutional Court has until 20 January to rule on any challenges and declare the final results.<\/p>\n