Post defeat, Gambian leader rejects election results, calls for fresh polls

Jammeh, who ruled Gambia as the President following a coup in 1994, told state TV that there are abnormalities in the  results and he wants a fresh polling.

He had conceded defeat to Adama Barrow, a property developer, who is yet to hold a political office in his career.

Barrow had received 45.5 per cent of the total votes, followed by Jemmeh with 36.7 per cent and Mama Kendeh with 17.8 per cent.

The shock defeat was hailed as the biggest upset in West Africa.

Following Barrow's win, he was quoted as saying by BBC, "I am very, very, very happy. I'm excited that we win (sic) this election and from now hope starts."

Meanwhile, Jammeh's call has been met with severe criticism from the US.

Condemning the action, state department spokesperson Mark Toner said, "This action is a reprehensible and unacceptable breach of faith with the people of The Gambia and an egregious attempt to undermine a credible election process and remain in power illegitimately."

Over the years, Jammeh's stance on several issues, including gay rights, riled several human rights groups, as they were deemed oppressive in nature.

In 2014, he had equated homosexuals with vermin and said they would receive a similar treatment from the government as would a malaria carrying mosquito.