E Guinea vote 'credible'
2009-12-02 22:46
Malabo - Equatorial Guinea's election won overwhelmingly by incumbent President Teodoro Obiang Nguema was credible despite some failings, the grouping of central African nations which observed the poll said on Wednesday.
Obiang won 95.2% of votes cast in Sunday's poll, authorities said, rejecting complaints of irregularities by rights groups and a rival candidate.
"The freedom, transparency and credibility of the election dignify the people of Equatorial Guinea," said a statement by observers from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) posted on the Equatorial Guinean website.
Failings included the lack of representatives of political parties at some voting centres, shortcomings in the treatment of proxy votes and a security presence outside polling booths that was "not discreet", it noted.
Obiang came to power 30 years ago and is now set for a further seven-year term in which he is expected to pursue his goal of transforming the tiny country of 650 000 into a major energy player despite mounting human rights concerns.
It is already one of sub-Saharan Africa's top five oil producers and he has plans to turn it into a regional gas hub.
The result was just short of Obiang's 97.1% score in 2002, when opponents withdrew, complaining of harassment.