Russia welcomes the success of the presidential elections in The Gambia, which were won by the acting head of the country, Adama Barrow, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
"On December 5, the Independent Electoral Commission of The Gambia announced the results of the December 4 presidential elections held in the country, according to which Barrow, the current head of state, won with more than 53% of the vote. Turnout exceeded 80%, - indicated in the diplomatic mission. - "Moscow welcomes the success of the general elections in The Gambia and hopes that the Gambian society will continue to move forward on the path of stable and democratic development".
According to the ministry, the observers of the African Union and the Economic Community of the West African States noticed, in general, "the transparent, peaceful and free character of the elections campaign and voting".
Six politicians, including Barrow, who was seeking re-election to a second term, ran as presidential candidates.
The presidential election in The Gambia is notable for its special voting system. A citizen who comes to the polling station and is registered on the voter list is given a transparent glass balloon. He throws it into one of the ballot boxes, each with a photo of one of the candidates attached. At the end of voting, the Independent Election Commission counts the balloons cast and announces the winner. The latter must achieve a simple majority. The total number of voters reaches 962,000.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS