Aden, Yemen ? Yemen’s president was re-elected with more than 77 percent of votes in the face of the strongest challenge since he came to power 28 years ago from an opponent with a substantial popular following, officials said Saturday.

But the opposition alleged fraud and immediately rejected the result.

Elections commission chief Khaled Sharif said the final tally showed President Ali Abdullah Saleh received 4.1 million votes, or 77.17 percent of 5.3 million valid votes, while challenger Faisal bin Shamlan won 1.1 million votes, or 21.82 percent.