Violence follows Gabon’s flawed election

Violence erupted following the announcement that Ali Bongo, son of the late former President Omar Bongo, won last Sunday’s election in Gabon.  Omar Bongo ruled Gabon for 41 years, from 1967 until his death last June, and was the world’s longest serving president.

Most people watching the election expected that violence would occur because few believed it would be free and fair.  The main opposition candidates, Pierre Mamboundou and Mba Obame have both claimed the election was fraudulent as well.  There is widespread evidence they are correct.  First, while only 50% of Gabon’s population is over voting age, the total number of registered voters accounts for 60% of the population.  One government official even admitted that they had registered dead people.  Second, African Union election observers reported major irregularities at polling stations, including unsealed ballot boxes, security forces improperly entering polling stations, ballots that did not list all candidates, and poll workers refusing to allow registered voters to cast their ballots.

Ali Bongo has “won” the election.  Now the hard part starts.  Gabon, like the US, uses plurality rules for its presidential elections.  This means that the person who receives the most votes wins, regardless of whether that candidate obtains a majority.  According to the official results, Bongo received 42% of the vote and turnout was very low, between 30% and 40%.  This means that in the best case scenario – a free and fair election did occur – close to 60% of voters cast their ballot against Bongo.  Since evidence suggests the election was rigged in Bongo’s favor, in all likelihood the actual percent of Gabonese who support him is far, far lower.