Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh has rejected the result of the presidential election held earlier this month after the electoral commission revised the results.
Mr Jammeh cited abnormalities in the vote and called for fresh elections.
Mr Jammeh, who took power in a coup in 1994, was defeated by Adama Barrow, who won more than 43% of the vote.
According to the electoral commission, the revised results of the vote on 1 December was:
Mr Barrow won 222,708 votes (43.34%)
President Jammeh took 208,487 (39.6%)
A third-party candidate, Mama Kandeh, won 89,768 (17.1%).
However, it narrowed Mr Barrow’s margin of victory from 9% to 4%.
The results were revised by the country’s electoral commission on 5 December, when it emerged that the ballots for one area were added incorrectly, swelling Mr Barrow’s vote.
The commission said the error, which also added votes to the other candidates, has not changed the status quo of the result.
Mr Jammeh said that he now rejected the results of the election in totality.
Mr Jammeh said;”After a thorough investigation, I have decided to reject the outcome of the recent election,”.
“I lament serious and unacceptable abnormalities which have reportedly transpired during the electoral process.
“I recommend fresh and transparent elections which will be officiated by a God-fearing and independent electoral commission.”
Mr Barrow accused the incumbent of damaging democracy by refusing to accept the result. His transition team said the president-elect was safe.
Mr Barrow’s spokesperson said the head of the army, General Ousman Badjie, supported the president-elect, having pledged his allegiance after the initial result.
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