Sierra Leone's incumbent President, Ernest Bai Koroma on Friday, November 23, 2012 won the country’s presidential election, the BBC quoted the Election Commission as saying.

He received almost 59 per cent of votes cast, thereby avoiding a run-off as he had over 55 per cent required to win in the first round. Ex-military ruler, Julius Maada Bio, took 38 per cent of the ballots.

It was the third election since the 1991-2002 civil war that killed more than 50,000 people.International observers had already declared the election to be peaceful and transparent.

The Election Commission said the average national turnout was 87.3 per cent.