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Leone opposition unite for rerun Leone opposition unite for rerun
(about 12 hours later)
Two leading opposition candidates in Sierra Leone have formed an alliance, as a second round looks increasingly likely after presidential elections. Two opposition candidates in Sierra Leone have formed an alliance for the second round of presidential elections.
With more than 80% of the votes counted so far, the opposition All People's Congress leader Ernest Bai Koroma is in the lead with about 44% of the vote. With almost all the votes counted, All People's Congress leader Ernest Bai Koroma is in the lead with 44%.
Charles Margai of the PMDC who so far has 14% of the ballots has announced he is now backing Mr Koroma. Charles Margai of the PMDC, who has 14% of the vote, says he is now backing Mr Koroma in the second poll since the end of Sierra Leone's civil war in 2002.
The poll is the second since the end of a civil war that killed thousands. The candidate backed by the governing SLPP party, Solomon Berewa, is in second place with about 38%.
Ahmad Tejan Kabbah is stepping down after serving the maximum two terms. The ruling party's candidate, Solomon Berewa, is in second place with about 38%. President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah is stepping down of serving them maximum two terms.
The BBC's Umaru Fofana in Freetown says the alliance is bad news for Mr Berewa with a run-off election on 6 September now looking certain as no single candidate is likely to secure 55% of the vote. SIERRA LEONE POLL Run by new electoral commission2.6m voters 566 parliamentary candidates112 parliamentary seats Seven presidential contendersFront-runners: - APC's Ernest Bai Koroma- PMDC's Charles Margai- SLPP's Solomon Berewa class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6938194.stm">Traffic light politics class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/07/africa_sierra_leone_slum/html/1.stm">In pictures: Freetown slum
However, he says members of the PMDC's executive say that Mr Margai took the decision by himself and he does not speak for the party. The BBC's Umaru Fofana in Freetown says the alliance is bad news for Mr Berewa in the run-off due on 6 September.
SIERRA LEONE KEY FACTS 1787: Set up as a freed slaves' settlement which became a British colony1991:10-year civil war began50,000 people killed in the conflict Thousands more had limbs chopped off2002: Post-war elections organised by United Nations2005: 17,000 UN peacekeepers left This poll run bynew electoral commission2.6m voters 566 parliamentary candidates112 parliamentary seats Seven presidential contendersFront-runners: - APC's Ernest Bai Koroma- PMDC's Charles Margai- SLPP's Solomon Berewa class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6938194.stm">Traffic light politics class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/07/africa_sierra_leone_slum/html/1.stm">In pictures: Freetown slum However members of the PMDC's executive say Mr Margai took the decision by himself and does not speak for the party.
The elections were the first to be organised by Sierra Leoneans since the end of the war there five years ago. There was a high turnout and the polls were widely praised by observers.
There was a high turnout and the polls were widely praised by observers with fears of violence largely failing to materialise. During the campaigns thousands of supporters of the main candidates painted the country in their political party colours in what was a carnival-like atmosphere.
During the campaigns thousands of supporters of the main candidates painted the country in their political party colours in what was a carnival like atmosphere.
Civil society organisations played an important role touring the country, often dressed in white, promoting non violence.Civil society organisations played an important role touring the country, often dressed in white, promoting non violence.
The previous poll in 2002 was organised by the United Nations, which still had peacekeepers on the ground then.The previous poll in 2002 was organised by the United Nations, which still had peacekeepers on the ground then.