Gabon’s Constitutional Court has given its verdict on the presidential election of August 27. The court through the voice of its president Marie-Madeleine Mborantsuo, confirmed the re-election of outgoing President Ali Bongo with 50.66% vote cast.

Jean Ping finished second with 47, 24% after a recount of polling station by polling station under the supervision of the African Union and a study by the nine judges who make up the institution of appeals filed by both parties. The Court deducted 5000 votes from Ali Bongo in the Upper Ogooué area and cancelled nearly fifteen polling stations claimed to have been won by the controversial opposition leader, Jean Ping.

This is the breakdown of the figures made public by the Court:

Enrolment: 595 406

Voters: 352,434

Blank or spoiled: 15987

Votes cast: 344 347

Turnout: 57.35%

Ali Bongo: 172,990 or 50.66% see

Jean Ping: 161 287 votes or 47.24%

President Ali Bongo has promised to make the victory that of all Gabonese. More than a commitment, it is my duty. Bongo used his first address to the nation to appeal to the Jean Ping camp to work with him for the general interest of the nation. The Court’s decision has laid to rest the electoral disputes in Gabon.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai