The United Nations (UN) has condemned the takeover of The Gambia's Electoral body by the military days after the country's general election.

In a statement signed by UN Secretary-General Bank Ki-Moon, the international body said the act is "outrageous" and amounts to a "disrespect of the will of the Gambian people."

It is also a defiance towards the international community at a time when a high-level Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) delegation was in the country to broker a peaceful transfer of power, the statement said.

Incumbent President Yahya Jammeh has declined to step down days after he conceded to his opponent Adama Barrow in the country's election which marked an end to his 22-year reign.

Mr Barrow polled 263,515 votes representing 45.5 percent as against President Jammeh's 212,099 which is 36.7 percent of valid vote cast, The Gambian Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said.

Ghanaian President, John Mahama with President Jammeh

Mr has demanded either a recount of the ballot or a re-run of the elections, a journalist in the country has said.

"After a thorough investigation, I have decided to reject the outcome of the recent election. I lament serious and unacceptable abnormalities which have reportedly transpired during the electoral process," President Jammeh said on state TV last week.

"I recommend fresh and transparent elections which will be officiated by a God-fearing and independent electoral commission," he added.

Some leaders of the West African body ECOWAS are in the country to hold talks with President Jammeh and President-Elect Barrow to ensure smooth power transfer.

President John Mahama who was defeated in last week Wednesday's presidential poll is part of the delegation as well as ECOWAS Chairperson and Liberian President, Sirleaf Ellen Johnson.

The UN has said a delay in a peaceful transfer of power would affect innocent people in the country.

Mr Ban Ki-Moon has called on the "Gambian military and security forces to immediately vacate the IEC premises and to refrain from any further acts with the intent to jeopardise efforts towards the peaceful transfer of power."

Read full statement:

GAMBIA - UN SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON:

The Secretary-General has learned with dismay the takeover yesterday morning of The Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) premises by the military.

He condemns this outrageous act of disrespect of the will of the Gambian people and defiance towards the international community at a time when a high-level Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) delegation was in the country to broker a peaceful transfer of power. This action violates the independent status of the IEC under the Gambian Constitution and could compromise the sensitive electoral material under the Commission's custody.

The Secretary-General reiterates his call for a peaceful, timely, and orderly transfer of power, in full respect of the will of the Gambian people as expressed in the presidential election.

He calls on the Gambian military and security forces to immediately vacate the IEC premises and to refrain from any further acts with the intent to jeopardise efforts towards the peaceful transfer of power.

Those found responsible for acts of violence and human rights violations must be held accountable.  

New York, 14 December 2016