Guinea presidential vote to go to runoff

Guinea election to go to runoff

CONAKRY, Guinea — Electoral officials in Guinea say a runoff vote will be needed to determine who wins the country’s first free election since independence.

The independent electoral commission says former prime minister Cellou Dalein Diallo garnered about nearly 40 percent of votes in Sunday’s historic poll, well short of the simple majority needed to avoid a runoff.

Longtime opposition politician Alpha Conde won just over 20 percent, while another ex-premier, Sidya Toure came in third place with close to 16 percent of the vote.

If confirmed by the Supreme Court, the result would mean Diallo faces Conde in a second round July 18.