World’s Oldest President Paul Biya re-elected amid claims of rigged polls

Cameroon’s long-serving President, Paul Biya, 92, has secured re-election for an eighth term after winning 53.7 percent of the vote, the country’s Constitutional Council announced on Monday.

His main challenger, former government minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary, finished second with 35.2 percent.

Bakary had earlier declared himself the winner just days after the October 12 election and urged his supporters to stage protests.

Violent clashes between security forces and opposition demonstrators erupted in Douala, the nation’s economic hub, on Sunday, leaving four people dead, according to the regional governor.

Security forces initially used tear gas before firing “live ammunition,” according to protesters interviewed by AFP.

Since last week, supporters of Issa Tchiroma, who according to his own tally won 54.8 percent of the votes against 31.3 percent for Biya, have taken to the streets to defend his claimed victory.

Most analysts expected Biya, the world’s oldest serving head of state, to secure another seven-year term in a system that critics say has been increasingly rigged.

Biya is only the second head of state to lead Cameroon since independence from France in 1960.

He has ruled with an iron fist, repressing all political and armed opposition, and holding onto power through social upheaval, economic disparity and separatist violence.