20110510
allafrica

Chad's incumbent president, Idriss Deby, has been returned to power in an election boycotted by the opposition, according to preliminary results published by the country's election commission.

Radio France Internationale reports that the commission said Deby won the April 25 presidential election with 88.66 percent of the vote - preparing the way for him to serve a fourth term.

It reported that challengers Albert Pahimi Padacké had secured 6.03 percent of the vote and Nadji Madou 5.32 percent. Both rejected the announced result.

The election commission said 64.22 percent of voters had gone to the polls, but Madou alleged that only between 19 and 24 percent of the electorate had voted.

Madou and Padacké say they will consult with each other on the possibility of challenging the results. However, a presidential spokesperson attributed the high turnout to successful campaigning.

The result is subject to confirmation by Chad's Constitutional Court.