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Preliminary election results in Guinea show President Alpha Conde headed for a landslide victory, likely securing a controversial third term despite months of violent protests. Clashes between opposition supporters and security forces have continued since Sunday’s vote, leaving at least eight civilians and two police officers dead, according to the government. Conde’s main opponent, Cellou Dalein Diallo, has escalated tensions by prematurely claiming victory and accusing the ruling party of fraud.
Guinea’s electoral commission will not release final vote totals until Saturday, but early results from 37 of the country’s 38 electoral districts show Conde with 2.4 million votes—nearly double Diallo’s 1.26 million. Conde would avoid a runoff by securing more than 50 percent of the ballots in the first round.