Chad's junta leader General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno won the African nation's May 6 presidential election, the President of the Constitutional Council, Jean-Bernard Padare, says. "Considering that candidate Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno has obtained 3,777,279, i.e. more than the absolute majority of votes cast, it is appropriate to declare him elected President of the Republic, Head of State," says Padare. The Constitutional Council also rejected a bid by Prime Minister and rival candidate Succes Masra to annul the result. Masra had claimed victory and has called for peaceful protests. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES