Gabon's president accuses challenger of fraud, power grab

Gabon's President Ali Bongo on Wednesday tried to deflect European Union observers' findings of a voting anomaly in his stronghold province that pushed him over the edge to win re-election, accusing his lead opponent of ballot fraud and a plot to seize power, ABC News reported.

Bongo lashed back on France's Europe-1 radio Wednesday, saying "Ping committed fraud" in his home constituency and others with the help of "cyber-criminals." The president did not elaborate.

Ping dismissed the accusations and called for international help in determining "the truth." He already has declared himself the rightful winner.

The EU observer commission said Tuesday that in addition to not having full access to all districts within Bongo's stronghold Haut-Ogooue province, voter turnout there appeared inflated. 

Bongo's re-election would extend a family dynasty in power since the 1960s. He was elected in 2009 after the death of his father, longtime ruler Omar Bongo, and protests followed.

Source: MENA