27 Sep 2009

The Constitutional Court of Gabon has ruled that all the votes from the country's August presidential election be recounted after protests on 'poll-fixing' turned ugly.

The court's decision for a recount scheduled "for Tuesday, September 29 beginning at 1400 (1300 GMT)," follows the opposition lawsuit on last month's election results, which was prompted by the death of the country's long-time pro-French leader, Omar Bongo Ondimba.

Opposition candidate Pierre Mamboundou challenged the late leader's son, Ali Bongo's victory in the election, reportedly accusing the ruling party of staging a 'show' election.

Gabon's election took place after the West African nation lost its second president since gaining independence from France in 1960.

The country has undergone a wave of unrest over the past month over allegations of French intervention in Bongo's assumption of power.

The opposition says that at least five people have lost their lives in recent scuffles between security forces and demonstrators challenging the authorities.

presstv