Sao Tome Presidential election heads for a runoff

Sao Tome and Principe presidential elections will go to a second round of voting, the electoral commission announced on Monday.

Carlos Vila Nova who is a former infrastructure Minister and former Prime Minister Guilherme Posser da Costa, who emerged first and second respectively in the elections, will compete against each other in the runoff planned for 8 August.

Mr Nova led with 39.47% against his nearest opponent who got nearly 21% of the vote.

Delfim Neves, the candidate who came third, alleged “massive electoral fraud” and said he would be requesting a recount of the votes.

On Sunday, the National Electoral Commission said voting had proceeded “normally” despite boycotts, especially in the Me-Zochi and Lemba municipalities.

Nearly 123,000 voters cast their vote to choose the next president of the tiny African island.

BBC/Olawunmi Sadiq