Opposition candidate leads in Sierra Leone presidential polls

Sieera Leone's electoral commission said on Sunday partial results show that the candidate of the main opposition party has a slight lead in the March 7 general elections.

Julius Maada Bio, of the main opposition Sierra Leone People's Party, won 43.33 percent out of the 75 percent of total votes counted, said N'Ali Koroma, chairman of the National Electoral Commission.

Samura Kamara, of the ruling All People's Congress party, came a close second with 42.57 percent of the votes.

Kandeh Yumkella, of the National Grand Coalition, is in the third position with 6.95 percent of votes.

Over 3 million voters cast their ballots on March 7 to elect a new president, members of parliament and local councils.

If no presidential candidate clears the threshold of 55 percent for a first-round win, a runoff poll will be held two weeks after final results are announced.