{"id":237444,"date":"2016-08-08T08:41:42","date_gmt":"2016-08-08T08:41:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=237444"},"modified":"2016-08-08T08:41:42","modified_gmt":"2016-08-08T08:41:42","slug":"president-boycotts-own-run-off-vote","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2016\/08\/president-boycotts-own-run-off-vote\/","title":{"rendered":"President boycotts own run-off vote"},"content":{"rendered":"
In an unusual move, the president of the west African state of Sao Tome and Principe has boycotted his own run-off election, handing victory to his rival.<\/p>\n
Manuel Pinto da Costa withdrew from Sunday’s poll, alleging fraud in the first round held on 17 July.<\/p>\n
His rival Evaristo Carvalho, a former prime minister, is now certain to win the race.<\/p>\n
He had won the first round with 49.8% of the vote while Mr Pinto da Costa had taken 24.8%.<\/p>\n