Equatorial Guinea opposition to reject poll results

The world's longest-serving leader, President Teodoro Obiang, attempted to extend his 43-year rule at Sunday's general elections in Equatorial Guinea, according to the biggest opposition group.

The Convergence for Social Democracy (CPDS) claimed that it would not accept the results of "the fraudulent elections" and that anyone who had been named president-elect would be viewed as "illegitimate" by the organization.

The party claimed that, with the exception of the capital, Malabo, the voting was "going place amid flagrant and widespread irregularities" on Sunday.

The ruling party and the election officials have not responded to the accusations.

The party claimed that its observers witnessed voters being coerced into supporting candidates from the dominant Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE).

Additionally, it said that via use of what it called "trickery," the opposition was prevented from overseeing the voting process.

Election officials permitted people to cast ballots for absent family members in a number of polling places, the party added.

It criticized the confiscation of voter identification from individuals who it claimed were picked out as sympathizers of the opposition.

Andres Esono Ondo, the party's presidential candidate, also claimed that "fraud and anomalies across the country, including public vote and chairs or heads of polling stations voting on behalf of others," had occurred. Additionally, he said that "free and fair voting" was being restricted.