In a dramatic political transformation, Guinea's military leader Mamady Doumbouya has been elected president after securing an impressive 86.72% of votes in a contentious national election that saw significant opposition boycotts.

The 41-year-old general, who originally seized power through a coup in September 2021, defied his previous commitment not to seek elected office, instead leveraging a newly approved constitutional referendum that allowed junta members to run for president.

The election commission reported an 80.95% voter turnout, with Doumbouya winning overwhelming majorities in multiple districts including Conakry, Coyah, Boffa, and Nzerekore. However, opposition groups like the National Front for the Defence of the Constitution strongly criticized the electoral process, describing it as an 'electoral charade'.

Doumbouya's path to the presidency involved significant political maneuvering. In late September, Guineans approved a new constitution that not only permitted military leaders to seek office but also extended presidential terms from five to seven years, renewable once. This constitutional change effectively cleared the way for his candidacy.

The election excluded several prominent opposition leaders, including former prime minister Cellou Dalein Diallo, who was barred from running due to living outside Guinea. Candidates like Abdoulaye Yéro Baldé and Faya Millimono denounced the election, citing 'serious irregularities' and 'electoral banditry'.

Since his 2021 coup that toppled Guinea's first freely elected president Alpha Condé, Doumbouya has significantly restricted civil liberties, banned protests, and overseen the arrest and exile of political opponents. His election represents a continuation of the military's strong political influence in the West African nation.

Despite the controversy, Doumbouya's overwhelming electoral victory suggests a complex political landscape in Guinea, where military leadership and democratic aspirations continue to intersect in challenging and unpredictable ways.