President Faustin-Archange Touadera of the Central African Republic has won a third term in office following the December 28 presidential election, according to provisional results released by the country’s electoral commission.
Announcing the results on Monday night, Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Mathias Morouba, said President Touadera secured 76.15 per cent of the total votes cast. Former Prime Minister Anicet-Georges Dologuele came second with 14.66 per cent, while another former Prime Minister, Henri-Marie Dondra, polled 3.19 per cent.
Voter turnout for the election was recorded at 52.42 per cent.
President Touadera, a 68-year-old mathematician, has been in office for about ten years.
He contested the election after a constitutional referendum conducted in 2023 removed the presidential term limit.
During the campaign, the president highlighted progress made in improving security across the country, citing support from Russian mercenaries and Rwandan forces, as well as peace agreements reached this year with several armed rebel groups.
The main opposition coalition, known by its French acronym BRDC, boycotted the election, citing concerns over the credibility of the process.
Meanwhile, opposition candidates Dologuele and Dondra have raised objections to the conduct of the election, alleging irregularities and calling for a review of the outcome.
President Touadera’s administration has dismissed the allegations, maintaining that the election was conducted transparently.
The Constitutional Court is expected to examine any petitions and declare the final results by January 20.