DATE=3/12/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-287452

TITLE=CONGO / ELECTION (S-O)

BYLINE=LUIS RAMIREZ

DATELINE=ABIDJAN

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Officials in the Republic of Congo say preliminary results show incumbent President Denis Sassou-Nguesso leading in the first round of presidential elections, held Sunday. V-O-A's Luis Ramirez has more from Abidjan.

TEXT: President Denis Sassou-Nguesso, who seized power in a 1997 coup, was widely expected to emerge the winner of the first round.

He ran largely unopposed after the candidate seen as his strongest opponent, former National Assembly President Andre Milongo, withdrew from the race.

Mr. Milongo pulled out of the election alleging there was a lack of transparency in the way the poll was organized. Mr. Milongo called for his supporters to boycott, and witnesses in the capital, Brazzaville, say turnout Sunday appeared low.

The polling was carried out in a calm and peaceful manner under the eyes of more than 100 international observers.

Officials with Congo's interior ministry say that with 50-percent of the votes counted, Mr. Sassou-Nguesso was in the lead. Final results are expected by Wednesday.

A second round of elections, originally scheduled for April seventh, will not be held if final results of the first round show the winner receiving at least 50-percent of the vote. (SIGNED)

NEB/LR/KL/RAE