Burkina Faso President Re-elected

OUAGADOUGOU — Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore was reelected with an 81 percent share of the vote in presidential elections, state media said Wednesday. Compaore, 59, in power since 1987, was elected in Sunday's first round ballot with 1.3 million votes, according to the Sidwaya newspaper, which said the findings were based on local poll counts. If confirmed, the president's share would increase from the 80 percent he won in the last election in 2005. His nearest rivals were far behind in the count with Hama Arba Diallo, a northern challenger, winning just under eight percent and opposition leader Benewende Stanislas Sankara achieving 5.52 percent, according to the report. Sankara and Diallo and two other of six challengers to Campoare said Tuesday they would reject the outcome of Sunday's vote, citing serious irregularities in the poll whose results are expected to be officially announced Thursday.