Suriname finally issues vote results showing opposition win

Suriname's electoral authorities have finally anunced preliminary results from May 25 elections won by opposition parties, which on Friday accused government of Desi Bouterse of obstructing efforts to seat a new legislature in small South American nation.

results — which in past years were anunced almost immediately — were released Thursday night just an hour before government imposed sweeping limits on public activity to fight a flareup of COVID-19.

Four opposition parties have formed a coalition to elect next president in August, though y remain one vote short of 34 needed for a two-thirds majority in National Assembly, which is required to elect president.

parties issued a statement accusing government of obstructionism, ting that delays in vote counting process are pushing it toward June 24 deadline set by law for seating new legislature.

United Reform Party leapfrogged past Bouterse's National Democratic Party, winning 20 seats, up from nine, while government party fell from 26 to 16.

Reform Party's chief, former police officer Chandrikapersad ‘Chan’ Santokhi, is expected to become next president.

Bouterse, who won democratic elections a decade ago, has suffered from an ecomic crisis and from a 2019 conviction for murder involving political opponents of military government he led from 1980 to 1987. A Dutch court also has convicted him in absentia of drug trafficking, which he denies.

He has remained free in part because he holds presidency and he is appealing murder conviction.

Bouterse has been largely invisible since Monday, though leader of one of opposition coalition parties said president had contacted him in attempt to get him to switch sides.

Bouterse's party also has demanded a recount in some areas.

election anuncement came as country of about 600,000 people suddently anunced scores of active cases of COVID-19, up from ne a week ago. Authorities imposed a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, ordered n-essential businesses closed and said people can travel only two to a car, and only to get food or medicine. Facemasks are w mandatory in shops and meetings of more than five people are banned.

number of active cases rose to 80 on Friday.

“With COVID-19 situation, ecomic situation is getting worse. new government must refore get to work quickly,” coalition parties said in ir statement.