Ousted Ali Bongo was on track to win Gabon election, polling shows

Data collected on behalf of president shows he was on course to win about 50% of the vote, as new leader announced by coup forces

The president of Gabon, who was ousted in a coup after elections on Saturday, was on course for a modest but clear victory, according to private polling conducted on his behalf.

The polling also showed that Ali Bongo was personally popular, even if his government and advisers were far less so. His ill-health was apparently not seen as a reason for him to stand aside.