Sierra Leone's opposition took an early lead on Monday as results trickled in from polls that international observers judged broadly transparent. Saturday's ballot was billed as a test of the West African country's stability after UN peacekeepers withdrew two years ago following an 11-year civil war fuelled by "blood diamonds" and infamous for its brutality.
Unofficial results from 10 percent of the country reported by local media showed Ernest Bai Koroma of the opposition All People's Congress (APC) leading the ruling Sierra Leone People's Party's (SLPP) candidate, Vice-President Solomon Berewa.
"The APC has so far about 45 percent of the presidential vote, with SLPP trailing with 35 percent," said Ransford Wright, co-ordinator of the Independent Radio Network.
He said the People's Movement for Democratic Change, an SLPP breakaway party, had gained 15 percent of the vote. "PMDC has split the SLPP's vote," said Wright. "It looks like we will definitely get into a runoff." Full results are expected to take several days. If no presidential candidate wins more than 55 percent, a runoff will be held in September.
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