Banjul – Opposition candidate Adama Barrow has won the Gambian presidential polls with 263,515 votes, the electoral commission said on Friday.

The commission’s chair, Alieu Njie, said he was followed by President Yahya Jammeh with 212,009 votes,

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mama Kandeh, the third candidate in the running, came third with 102,969 votes.

“What we see in this result is a change of government.

“The incumbent will call the new president to congratulate and wish him well,” Njie said.

Reports say Jammeh ruled the country for 22 years with an iron fist and was widely accused of corruption and human rights abuses.

Gambian leader Jammeh accepts defeat in presidential polls
December 2, 2016 2:24 pm by abiodun.oluleye – Gambia –

Meanwhile, the Gambian ruler Yayah Jammeh has conceded defeat to rival Adama Barrow after the presidential polls, an aide to the Information Minister tells media on condition of anonymity on Friday.

The electoral commission has yet to announce the final election results, but Barrow had shown a strong lead as 75 per cent of votes were counted.