Roch Marc Christian Kaboré elected new President of Burkina Faso

Roch Marc Christian Kaboré was elected Burkina Faso’s president, according to preliminary results announced early Tuesday, replacing the transitional government put in place after the West African nation’s longtime leader was toppled in a popular uprising last year.

The country’s electoral commission said results show Kaboré, from the Movement of People for Progress party, won 53.5 percent of the vote, or more than the 50 percent needed to avoid a runoff.

Zephirin Diabre came in second place with 29.6 percent of the vote, and Tahirou Barry came in third with 3 percent.

Electoral commission president Barthelemy Kere said 60 percent of the country’s 5.5 million registered voters participated in Sunday’s election.

Fourteen candidates took part in the elections to replace the transition government set up after President Blaise Compaore was forced to resign in October 2014. The poll, originally scheduled for October, was postponed after a coup by the presidential guard in September. Transitional President Michel Kafando and the prime minister were restored to power after a week, and the guard was disbanded.

Hundreds of supporters gathered Monday night at Kaboré’s campaign headquarters as early results showed him likely to win. Diabre joined and congratulated him.

Candidates have 7 days to contest the results before the constitutional court finalizes them.

The 58-year-old Kaboré was the prime minister and speaker of parliament under Compaore. In January 2014, Kaboré and others broke with the president to oppose a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow Compaore to extend his power.

A new electoral code barred Compaore’s party candidate from running, however the party could have a strong showing in legislative results which could be announced later Tuesday.

Source: Associated Press