- The result gives Obiang, 80, a sixth seven-year term in office, extending his 43-year rule and cementing his place as the world’s longest-standing ruler
- Obiang’s son and Vice President, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, said the results of had proved “us right again.”
The United States on Tuesday said it has “serious doubts about the credibility of the announced results” in elections in Equatorial Guinea this month and called on authorities to work with all stakeholders to address allegations of voter fraud.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price in a statement said allegations of “significant election-related irregularities” included intimidation, coercion and repeat voting, adding that the United States is also concerned by what he said were irregular counting practices.
The full statement reads: “The United States commends the people of Equatorial Guinea who exercised their right to vote on November 20. We note, however, that international election observers, civil society groups, and opposition parties have made credible allegations of significant election-related irregularities, including documented instances of fraud, intimidation, and coercion. These allegations include restrictions on the ability of representatives of political parties to access polling stations, repeat voting, pre-filling of Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE) ballots, non-secret voting booths, and heavily armed soldiers within 20 meters of voting booths.
“We are also concerned by irregular counting practices that favor the party in power, including the counting of unopened ballots in favor of the PDGE and the counting of ballots without all political parties represented. These irregularities would violate Equatoguinean law. Given the scale of irregularities observed and the announced results giving the PDGE 94.9% of the vote, we have serious doubts about the credibility of the announced results.
“Elections are an opportunity for a government and political parties to tangibly demonstrate their commitment to democratic principles. We urge Equatoguinean authorities to work with all stakeholders – including the full spectrum of political organizations and non-partisan civil society organizations – to fully address these credible allegations of voter fraud and to take steps to permit the expression of diverse political perspectives.”
But Obiang’s son and Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue said the results of had proved “us right again.”
“We continue to prove to be a Great Political Party,” he said on Twitter.
The ruling party and coalition also won all 55 seats in the Senate and the 100 seats in the lower parliamentary house.
“Without doubt, we carried out a great campaign, demonstrating with facts that the PDGE is the guarantee for the present and future of GE (Equatorial Guinea),” said Mangue.
Obiang has previously been elected with more than 90% of the vote in the West African nation of around 1.5 million people.
He rose to power after ousting his uncle, Francisco Macias Nguema, in a 1979 coup.