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{{Infobox single
{{Infobox election
| country = Guinea
| Name = Secret
| type = presidential
| Cover = Madonna, Secret single cover.png
| previous_election = 2010 Guinean presidential election
| Artist = [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]
| previous_year = 2010
| Album = [[Bedtime Stories (Madonna album)|Bedtime Stories]]
| election_date = 11 October 2015
| B-side = "Let Down Your Guard" <small>(UK)</small>
| registered = 6,042,634
| Border = yes
| turnout = 68.44%
| Released = {{start date|1994|9|27}}
| next_election = 2020 Guinean presidential election
| Format = {{flat list|
| next_year = 2020
*[[CD single|CD]]
| image_size = 130x130px
*[[Cassette single|cassette]]
*[[Gramophone record|7"]]}}
| Recorded = April – June 1994<br><small>([[New York City]])</small>, <small>([[Atlanta, GA]])</small><ref>{{cite news| url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AT&p_theme=at&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EADA0F88A8247D1&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM | title =Peach Buzz: Talk of Our Town: Producer has project with Madonna|date=April 12, 1994 | work=The Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta Constitution|page =C/2|quote =Madonna and Atlanta-based producer Dallas Austin danced the night away Sunday at Velvet's Disco Hell after sealing a deal to work together. "Dallas is going to be working on Madonna's upcoming project," confirmed Claude Austin, the producer's brother and vice president of D.A.R.P. Inc}}</ref>
| Genre = {{flatlist|
*[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
*[[Pop music|pop]]}}
| Length = 5:04
| Label = {{flat list|
* [[Maverick Records|Maverick]]
* [[Sire Records|Sire]]
* [[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]]}}
| Writer = {{flat list|
* [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]
* [[Dallas Austin]]
* [[Shep Pettibone]]}}
| Producer = {{flat list|
* Madonna
* Dallas Austin}}
| Last single = "[[I'll Remember]]"<br>(1994)
| This single = "'''Secret'''"<br>(1994)
| Next single = "[[Take a Bow (Madonna song)|Take a Bow]]"<br>(1994)
}}
"'''Secret'''" is a song by American singer [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] from her sixth studio album ''[[Bedtime Stories (Madonna album)|Bedtime Stories]]'' (1994). It was later included on her greatest hits compilations ''[[GHV2]]'' (2001) and ''[[Celebration (Madonna album)|Celebration]]'' (2009). It was originally written and produced by Madonna with [[Shep Pettibone]], who she had collaborated with on the 1992 album ''[[Erotica (Madonna album)|Erotica]]''. On release, the song was credited to [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] and [[Dallas Austin]]. Pettibone was not acknowledged as co-writer until the release of a 2001 remix compilation album ''[[GHV2#GHV2 Remixed: The Best of 1991–2001|GHV2 Remixed: The Best of 1991-2001]]''.


| image1 = Alpha Conde - World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2012.jpg
"Secret" received favorable reviews from music critics, who praised Madonna's vocals and the mid tempo R&B groove, deeming the song seductive and soulful. When it was released in September 1994, it became a top ten hit around the world. In the United States it peaked at number three on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and was certified gold by the [[RIAA|Recording Industry Association of America]]. In the United Kingdom it reached a peak of number five, becoming her record-breaking 35th consecutive top-ten single on the [[UK Singles Chart]]. [[Slant Magazine]] listed "Secret" as the 42nd "Best Singles of the '90s".<ref name="slantmagazine1">{{cite web|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/feature/best-singles-of-the-90s/247/page_6 |title=Best Singles of the 1990s |work=Slant Magazine |accessdate=2012-09-10}}</ref>
| nominee1 = '''[[Alpha Condé]]'''
| party1 = Rally of the Guinean People
| popular_vote1 = '''2,284,827'''
| percentage1 = '''57.84%'''


| image2 = Cellou Dalein Diallo 2011.jpg
A black and white [[music video]], directed by photographer Melodie McDaniel, was released for the song. The music video features Madonna as a singer in a night club. An official remix video was edited by Dan-O-Rama and is known as "Secret (Dan-O-Rama Remix)" - it includes the remix "Junior's Luscious Club Edit" by Junior Vasquez. The song was performed on tour for the first time during her 2001 [[Drowned World Tour]]. It was later performed at the Houston stop of her [[Sticky and Sweet Tour]] in November 2008 as a fan request.
| nominee2 = [[Cellou Dalein Diallo]]
| party2 = Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea
| popular_vote2 = 1,242,362
| percentage2 = 31.45%


| image3 = Sidya Touré.jpg
==Background==
| nominee3 = [[Sidya Touré]]
[[File:Jean Harlow in Red Dust trailer crop.JPG|thumb|Madonna's appearance on the cover art of the single has been compared to that of [[Jean Harlow]]]]In 1992, Madonna released her controversial ''[[Sex (book)|Sex]]'' book and her fifth studio album ''[[Erotica (Madonna album)|Erotica]]'', both featuring a highly sexual image of her. She also starred in the [[erotic thriller]] ''[[Body of Evidence (1993 film)|Body of Evidence]]''. The three were critically panned by critics and fans alike,<ref name="feld">{{harvnb|Feldman|2000|p=255}}</ref> who questioned Madonna as a sexual renegade and claimed that "she had gone too far" and that her career was over. In early 1994, after finishing the [[The Girlie Show World Tour|Girlie Show World Tour]] in support of ''Erotica'', she recorded the song "[[I'll Remember]]", which was released as the theme from the movie ''[[With Honors (film)|With Honors]]''. The song was well received by critics, who hailed it as some of her best work. However, [[Madonna on Late Show with David Letterman|her appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman]] was noted by her constant use of profanity and references to sex that needed to be censored on television, and caused a large public controversy.<ref>''Time Magazine'' [http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1879231_1879160_1879214,00.html Don't F___ with Madonna Time.com]</ref> During 1994, Madonna started recording her sixth studio album. At first, it started as a collaboration with Shep Pettibone and was to be stylistically similar to ''Erotica'', but due to Madonna's wish to soften her public image at the time, she decided to move towards an R&B sound collaborating with well-known R&B producers and took a more appropriate image for the general public. She had the idea for "Secret" before recording the album.<ref>{{Google books |id=vr89AQAAIAAJ |title=ASCAP Play Back |page=1 }}</ref> In September 1994, the song was announced as the lead single from ''Bedtime Stories''. The song was written by Madonna, Dallas Austin and Shep Pettibone. It was later included in the compilation albums ''GHV2'' and ''Celebration'' in its deluxe edition. The cover art of the single, as well as the song's music video, showed a change in appearance for Madonna since her previous single "[[I'll Remember]]" (1994) - in which she sported short cropped dark hair - with her newly longer blonde hair and style drawing comparisons to the look of 1930s American actress [[Jean Harlow]].<ref name="allmusic"/> Unusual for the mid-1990s, Madonna talked about the new single on the [[Internet]], with a 30-second sample of "Secret" and the cover image of the then-unreleased ''Bedtime Stories''. She also left a message with the following words:<ref>{{cite video |people=Madonna (performer), Joe Barco |date=14 September 1994|title=Madonna talks about her then-new song "Secret" |url=http://mlvc.org/digests/v03/September/v03.n046 |publisher=mlvc.org |accessdate=2008-12-23 |quote=Hello, all you Cyberheads!... }}</ref>
| party3 = Union of Republican Forces
| popular_vote3 = 237,549
| percentage3 = 6.01%


| title = President
<blockquote>
| before_election = [[Alpha Condé]]
Hello, all you Cyberheads! Welcome to the 90's version of intimacy. You can hear me... You can even see me... But you can't touch me... do you recognize my voice?... It's Madonna. Often imitated, but never duplicated. Or, should I say, often irritated?
| before_party = Rally of the Guinean People
| after_election = [[Alpha Condé]]
| after_party = Rally of the Guinean People
}}{{Politics of Guinea}}


Presidential elections were held in [[Guinea]] on 11 October 2015.<ref>{{cite web |date=2015 |title=African election calendar 2015 |url=http://www.content.eisa.org.za/old-page/african-election-calendar-2015 |publisher=[[Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa]] |access-date=26 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227192613/http://www.content.eisa.org.za/old-page/african-election-calendar-2015 |archivedate=27 February 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-guinea-politics-idUKKBN0LT01N20150225 |title=Guinea's Conde replaces minister charged with organising election |date=25 February 2015 |publisher=Reuters |access-date=26 February 2015}}</ref> The result was a first-round victory for incumbent President [[Alpha Condé]], who received 58% of the vote.<ref name=Guardian>{{cite news|title=Guinea president Alpha Conde wins second term with clear majority|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/17/guinea-president-alpha-conde-election|accessdate=19 October 2015|agency=Agence France-Presse|publisher=[[The Guardian]]|date=17 October 2015}}</ref>
If you feel like it, you can download the sound file of my new single "Secret", from my new album, "Bedtime Stories", which comes out next month. I just shot the video in New York, and will be premiering an exclusive sample of it online. So check back soon. In the meantime, why don't you post me a message and let me know what you think of my new song. And by the way, don't believe any of those online imposters pretending to be me... ain't nothing like the real thing.


==Background==
Peace out.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/72285933.html?dids=72285933:72285933&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+29%2C+1994&author=Richard+Leiby&pub=The+Washington+Post+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=World+Wide+Web+Is+Where+It's+%40&pqatl=google|title=World Wide Web Is Where It's @|last=Leiby|first=Richard|date=1994-09-29|accessdate=2012-07-01|work=The Washington Post}}</ref>
In December 2013, the [[Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa]] that began in Guinea spread to neighbouring Sierra Leone and Liberia, as well as with health workers and visitors who returned to their respective countries. At the time of the elections the worst of the epidemic was over, although there were still a lesser number of prevalent cases.<ref name=ndtv>[http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/guinea-holds-tense-vote-despite-opposition-mistrust-1230750 Guinea Holds Tense Vote Despite Opposition Mistrust, NDTV, 11 October 2015]</ref>
</blockquote>
The last part of her message referred to a brief trend of [[AOL]] [[chatroom]] users impersonating her; this was confirmed by [[MTV News]].


The seven opposition parties called for a postponement,<ref>[http://www.nampa.org/index.php?model=categories&function=display&id=14975934 "Guinean opposition calls for postponement of presidential polls"], Xinhua, 7 October 2015.</ref> citing alleged irregularities in the electoral roll, but their pleas were rejected by the [[Independent National Electoral Commission (Guinea)|Independent National Electoral Commission]] (CENI).<ref name=BBC /> [[Cellou Dalein Diallo]] of the [[Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea]] (UFDG) also petitioned the [[Supreme Court of Guinea]] to have the election postponed, but it was rejected.<ref name=BBC />
==Composition==
{{listen
|pos=left
| filename = Madonna-secret.ogg
| title = "Secret"
| description = "Secret" was written by Madonna, Dallas Austin and Shep Pettibone. Its R&B influence was a departure from Madonna's big-sounding dance tracks
| format = [[Ogg]]
}}"Secret" was written by Madonna, Dallas Austin and Shep Pettibone. Musically, it features [[R&B]] and [[Pop music|pop]] genres and is written in the key of [[E-flat minor]].<ref name="fpsec">[http://forpiano.com/FILES/secret__madonna.pdf Secret] ''For Piano'' Retrieved 2008-05-18</ref> According to Musicnotes.com, the song has 96 beats per minute and Madonna's vocal range is Gb3 to Gb4.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0085009&|title=Madonna "Secret" Sheet Music|accessdate=2014-01-30}}</ref>
The song was a departure from the style of music that Madonna had previously released, because up to that point in her career her music had mostly been big-sounding dance tracks or melodic ballads.<ref name="taraborrelli">{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2002|p=237}}</ref> The song begins with just the sound of Madonna's voice singing over a rhythmic, folksy guitar, before opening up to a sparse, retro rhythm section.<ref name="taraborrelli"/> Madonna's voice remains at the center of the song's production, as she sings lyrics such as "happiness lies in your own hand."<ref name="benson"/> In ''Madonna the Companion: Two Decades of Commentary'', authors Allen Metz and Carol Benson write that the tone that Madonna uses when singing these lyrics suggests that she is discussing "self-determinism, not auto-eroticism."<ref name="benson">{{harvnb|Metz|Benson|1999|p=23}}</ref> Throughout the song Madonna also sings the lyrics "My baby's got a secret," however, she never discloses what the secret may be.<ref name="jrtaraborrelli">{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2002|p=238}}</ref> In his book ''Madonna: An Intimate Biography'', [[J. Randy Taraborrelli]] describes the song as "clever," adding that no matter how many time one listens to it, "it never ceases to intrigue."<ref name="jrtaraborrelli"/>


==Electoral system==
==Remixes==
The elections were held using the [[two-round system]], with a second round taking place if no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the first round.<ref name=IFES>[http://www.electionguide.org/elections/id/2588/ Republic of Guinea] IFES</ref> Presidents are limited to two terms in office, allowing incumbent president [[Alpha Condé]] to run for a second term.
At the time, "Secret" was experiencing success on American charts. To keep the song current in dance clubs, Madonna requested remixes of the song for [[Junior Vasquez]], who was a [[DJ]] at the [[Sound Factory]] nightclub in New York. "They sent me a cassette of the song, just to get an idea what the song was", Vasquez said of the original mid-tempo cut, "and when it was 100 beats per minute I said, 'Oh god, what am I gonna do with this?'" Before tackling the club mixes, Vasquez and his engineers experimented with versions truer to the original. Then, the DJ wrote and produced all new music for the club mixes, only utilizing Madonna's original vocals for the final product. He said, "I knew I was gonna do the house thing, but I knew right away we’d have to speed up the vocals". Audio engineer P. Dennis Mitchell explained, "To do that we have to digitally manipulate her vocals, which is time compression. It just digitally goes in and snipes out tiny little digital slices of the actual sound and squeezes it together so that her tempo is a new tempo but her pitch stays the same". Madonna’s different ’cause she’s like really on top of everything. The house mix is just as important to her as what her original interpretation of the song is", Vasquez completed.<ref>http://www.mtv.com/news/1458093/snoops-thriller-madonnas-secret-boyz-ii-mens-vanderpool-style-this-week-in-1994/</ref>


==Campaign==
The song also had several remixes, most notably the Junior Vasquez dance mixes.<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/secret-mw0000627040|title=Madonna: Secret Review|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=March 7, 2014}}</ref> There are two versions of "Junior's Luscious Mix," those being a single edit and a longer version, which, complete with a piano intro, turns the organic/guitar-flavored song into a dancefloor epic.<ref name="allmusic"/> Her vocals were re-edited to fit in with the faster beats. According to Jose F. Promis of AllMusic, the vocal re-edits give her vocals a "robotic, detached feel that the original doesn't have."<ref name="allmusic"/> Junior's "Sound Factory Mix" has swirling instrumentals recalling flashing lights in a nightclub.<ref name="allmusic"/> The "Some Bizarre Mix" gives the song a groovier, funkier spin, while the "Allstar Mix," gives the song a cold, hip-hop feel.<ref name="allmusic"/>
A total of eight candidates contested the elections;<ref name=BBC>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-34498449 Guineans vote in presidential poll amid tension] BBC News, 11 November 2015</ref> including incumbent Condé, Diallo, who was named as the candidate of the UFDG on 25 July 2015,<ref>[https://news.yahoo.com/guineas-former-pm-run-presidency-october-203000084.html "Guinea's former PM to run for presidency in October"], AFP, 25 July 2015.</ref> [[Sidya Touré]] of the [[Union of Republican Forces]], Papa Koly Kourouma of the Generations for Reconciliation, Union, and Prosperity party, Georges Gandhi Faraguet of the Guinean Union for Democracy and Development, Faya Millimouno of the Liberal Bloc, Marie Madeleine Dioubaté of the Guinea Ecologists Party and [[Lansana Kouyaté]] of the National Party for Hope and Development.<ref name=IFES />


During the campaign Condé told voters that he aimed to promote development and consolidate stability. Diallo promised to give priority to youth employment, as well as "access to health care, decent housing, water, electricity, safety, and justice".<ref name=BBC /> His campaign slogan promised to deliver a "KO blow" to his opponents. He cited his record on overhauling the army and judiciary, the completion of a hydroelectric dam and reforms in making the mineral-rich country's mining contracts more transparent. He said in an interview: "Ask the people of Guinea if what we have done in five years, the others did in 50. Ask that on the streets."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/10/guinea-votes-campaign-plagued-violence-151011062405513.html|title=Guinea votes after campaign plagued with violence|date=11 October 2015|publisher=Al Jazeera|accessdate=18 October 2015}}</ref> His campaign was said to benefit from improving supply of electricity in Conakry and the relative stability the country endured despite the Ebola epidemic.<Ref name="dna"/>
==Critical reception==
{{Quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote="Secret," is perhaps the most naked performance of [Madonna]'s career. Acoustic guitars, expertly sweetened vocals and producer Dallas Austin's signature R&B beats soulfully transport the listener into Madonna's troubled yet soothing world."|source=—Sal Cinquemani of ''Slant Magazine''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/madonna-bedtime-stories/387 | title=Madonna: Bedtime Stories | last=Cinquemani | first=Sal | work=[[Slant Magazine]] | date=March 29, 2003 | accessdate=February 27, 2014}}</ref>}}
The song received generally positive reviews, with critics and fans appreciating Madonna's move towards a soft and appropriate image instead of using her sexual image from previous years. ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' listed "Secret" as the 42nd "Best Singles of the '90s," stating that its "one of the most organic-sounding singles of Madonna's career, taking its sweet time to get where it's going and not giving up too much along the way. The arrangement gets off on being withholding, and, at least for one glorious single, so does Madonna: When she sings, "You knew all along/What I never wanted to say," she sounds positively rapturous.<ref name="slantmagazine1"/> Alex Needham of ''[[NME]]'' called the song an "underrated gem," adding that the track has a "brilliant bluesy strut."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/madonna/5825|title=Madonna : GHV2|work=NME|date=November 9, 2001|accessdate=February 27, 2014}}</ref> [[NME]] also ranked it at number 30 in their list of the best songs of 1994.<ref>bestalbumsandtracksoftheyear</ref>Barbara O'Dair of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' called the song "infectiously funky," adding that her delivery of the lyrics "Happiness lies in your own hand/It took me much too long to understand" shows a downbeat restraint in her vocals that proves the singer is "drawn to sadness."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/bedtime-stories-19941215 | title=Bedtime Stories by Madonna | last=O'Dair | first=Barbara | work=[[Rolling Stone]] | publisher= | date=December 15, 1994 | accessdate=February 27, 2014}}</ref>


Diallo called on voters to make their voices heard following the rejection of his plea for a delay of the "imperfect" process. "We will vote, defend our suffrage, defend our victory because there is no way we will let our victory be stolen."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dw.com/en/guinea-presidential-election-to-go-ahead/a-18775109|title=Guinea presidential election to go ahead|date=11 October 2015|publisher=Deutsche Welle|accessdate=18 October 2015}}</ref> Prior to the vote, all seven opponents of the incumbent said they would challenge the outcome. A joint statement read: "The seven candidates will not recognise the results which will be made following an election with anomalies and irregularities."<ref name=ndtv />
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of ''[[Allmusic]]'' listed the song as one of the best songs off of ''[[Bedtime Stories (Madonna album)|Bedtime Stories]]'', stating that it (along with album tracks "[[Take a Bow (Madonna song)|Take a Bow]]," "Inside of Me," "Sanctuary," and "[[Bedtime Story (Madonna song)|Bedtime Story]]") slowly "works its melody into the subconscious as the bass pulses."<ref>{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=album|id= r206605|pure_url=yes}}|title=Bedtime Stories > Overview | last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=2014-02-14}}</ref> In his 2011 review of ''Bedtime Stories'', Brett Callwood of the ''[[Detroit Metro Times]]'' called the song "spectacular."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.metrotimes.com/music-blahg/city-slang-bedtime-stories-revisited/|title=City Slang: "Bedtime Stories" revisited|work=Detroit Metro Times|date=August 17, 2011|accessdate=February 27, 2014}}</ref> Charlotte Robinson of ''[[PopMatters]]'' wrote that the gentle grooves of "Secret," accompanied by acoustic guitar and delicate strings, make the song "seductive."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/madonna-greatest/|title=Madonna: Greatest Hits Volume 2|publisher=Popmatter.com|date=November 12, 2001|accessdate=February 27, 2014}}</ref> ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' described the song as a "pop smash" that is one of the most "seductive" songs off ''Bedtime Stories''.<ref>{{cite journal |url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=YQgEAAAAMBAJ |page=74 }} |title=Madonna: Bedtime Stories Album Review|date=Oct 29, 1994|work=Billboard|issue= 44|volume=106|page=74|issn= 0006-2510|accessdate=Feb 27, 2014}}</ref> Scott Kearnan of ''[[Boston.com]]'' included the track at number thirty on his list of "Best Madonna Songs," stating "its "slinky R&B groove made 'Secret' something special, even if it’s not remembered for an accompanying scandal or bawdy 'moment.' We like to talk about her ability to produce controversy and headlines, but at the end of the day, here’s what Madonna makes best: pop music."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/ae/music/30_best_madonna_singles_ultimate_song_list/|title=30 Ultimate Madonna Singles|work=Boston Globe|date=September 9, 2013|accessdate=March 10, 2014}}</ref> Louis Virtel of ''[[AfterEllen.com and TheBacklot.com|The Backlot]]'' listed the song at number 14 on his list of the "The 100 Greatest Madonna Songs," calling it "meditative, moving," and "sexy as hell."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebacklot.com/the-100-greatest-madonna-songs/02/2012/5/|title=The 100 Greatest Madonna Songs|publisher=thebacklot.com|date=February 3, 2012|accessdate=March 7, 2014}}</ref>


==Conduct==
==Commercial performance==
Violence during the election campaign, including clashes between supporters of Condé and Diallo in [[Koundara]],<ref name=BBC2 /> led to the deaths of at least three people.<ref name=BBC /> A curfew was put in place in [[Nzérékoré]] after one person was killed and dozens injured during a visit by Condé on 5 October.<ref name=BBC2>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-34478656 Will Guinea election be free and fair?] BBC News, 8 October 2015</ref> United Nations Secretary-General [[Ban Ki-moon]] then called for the vote to be "conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner."<ref name=ndtv />
[[File:MadonnaSecretDionisioWeiland.jpg|thumb|left|Madonna performing "Secret" during the [[Drowned World Tour]] in 2001.]]
"Secret" achieved worldwide chart success. In the United States it debuted at number 30 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. The next week it shot straight into the top-ten at number nine. Three weeks later it peaked on the chart at number three, staying on the chart for a total of 22 weeks (11 of which were within the top-ten). It also peaked of number three on both the U.S. [[Billboard Hot 100 Airplay|Hot 100 Airplay]] and [[Top 40 Mainstream]] charts and at number two on the [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Adult Contemporary chart]]. On the [[Hot Dance Club Play]] chart it peaked at number one for two weeks, mostly in part due to the remixes released by Junior Vasquez. On the Billboard Hot 100 year-end charts "Secret" was given the number 84 position for the year 1994 and the number 71 position for the year 1995 and was certified gold by the [[RIAA|Recording Industry Association of America]] on January 5, 1995.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?content_selector=gold-platinum-searchable-database|title=RIAA Searchable Database}}</ref> In Canada the song debuted at number 91 on the [[RPM (magazine)|Canadian ''RPM'' Singles Chart]] the week of October 3, 1994, eventually peaking at number one for three consecutive weeks starting the week of November 14, 1994.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.2613&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=4dp17sl7hp9qmhhj3vmcenr836|title=''RPM'' 100 Top Singles|publisher=RPM|date=October 3, 1994|accessdate=March 10, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.2669&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=4dp17sl7hp9qmhhj3vmcenr836|title=''RPM'' 100 Top Singles|publisher=RPM|date=November 28, 1994|accessdate=March 10, 2014}}</ref> On the ''RPM'' 1994 Year-End Chart, the song finished at number 23.<ref name="rpm">{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.2687&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=4dp17sl7hp9qmhhj3vmcenr836|title=Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1994|publisher=RPM|date=1994-12-14|accessdate=March 10, 2014}}</ref>


Voting centres were open from 7:00 until 18:00, while national borders were closed for the day and traffic restricted to that of electoral observers, government officials and security forces, in accordance with a presidential decree. Around 19,000 police and members of the security services were on duty.<ref name="ndtv" /> Condé also declared that over 90% of voter cards had been distributed.
In the United Kingdom "Secret" peaked at number five on the [[UK Singles Chart]], and according to [[The Official Charts Company]], has sold a total of 117,957 copies in that region as of 2008.<ref name="imma">{{cite news|url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=22&storycode=1035210|last=Jones|first=Alan|title=The Immaculate Guide To 50 Years Of Madonna|date=2008-08-19|accessdate=2011-06-11|work=[[Music Week]]|publisher=[[UBM plc]]}}</ref> "Secret" became her 35th consecutive top-ten single since "[[Like a Virgin (song)|Like a Virgin]]" (1984), which remains an unequaled record in British chart history.<ref name="britishchartbook">{{cite book |first=David|last=Roberts|title=[[British Hit Singles & Albums]]|page=342|year=2004|publisher=[[Guinness World Records]]|edition=17th|isbn=0-85112-199-3}}</ref> On the [[French Singles Chart]] the single peaked at number two for two weeks, staying on the chart for a total of 30 weeks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Madonna&titel=Secret&cat=s|title=Madonna - Secret|publisher=lescharts.com|accessdate=March 10, 2014}}</ref> It placed at number 26 on the year-end chart and was eventually certified silver by the [[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique]] (SNEP) for shipment of 125,000 copies.<ref name="snep"/><ref name="year 1994"/> It has sold a total of 255,000 copies in France.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infodisc.fr/S_Certif.php|title=InfoDisc:Les Certifications(Singles)}}</ref> "Secret" entered the [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) singles chart at its peak of number five the week of October 23, 1994, eventually charting for a total of fourteen weeks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Madonna&titel=Secret&cat=s|title=Madonna - Secret|publisher=australian-charts.com|accessdate=March 10, 2014}}</ref> It later landed in the number 46 position on the Australian singles year-end chart.<ref name="aria"/> The song also peaked at number one in Finland as well as Switzerland, charting on the [[Swiss Singles Chart]] for a total of 19 weeks.<ref name="fin"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hitparade.ch/song/Madonna/Secret-2882|title=Madonna - Secret|publisher=hitparade.ch|accessdate=March 10, 2014}}</ref> In New Zealand, the song entered the [[New Zealand Singles Chart]] at number 31 the week of November 6, 1994, eventually peaked at number five, remaining on the chart for a total of eight weeks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://charts.org.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Madonna&titel=Secret&cat=s|title=Madonna - Secret|publisher=charts.org.nz|accessdate=March 10, 2014}}</ref> The song also placed within the top 10 on the charts in Italy, Spain, and Denmark, peaking at number three, number four, and number eight respectively.<ref name="ita"/><ref name="spain"/><ref name="Den"/> In Austria the single barely missed the top 10, peaking at number 11, while in Ireland it peaked at number 16 on the [[Irish Singles Chart]] (IRMA).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Madonna&titel=Secret&cat=s|title=Madonna - Secret - austriancharts.at|language=German|publisher=[[Ö3 Austria Top 40]]|accessdate=March 10, 2014}}</ref><ref name="ireland"/> In Sweden, the song peaked at number 12 and spent a total of 16 cumulative weeks on the chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Madonna&titel=Secret&cat=s|title=Swedishcharts.com - Secret - Madonna|publisher=Singles Top 60|accessdate=March 10, 2014}}</ref>


Monitors included an [[African Union]] observer mission and a 72-member [[European Union]] delegation. The EU delegation cited “massive deficiencies” ahead of polling; however, in its post-election report it concluded that the process overall was “valid”.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fingers crossed in Guinea: Things could turn nasty after a disputed poll|url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21673650-things-could-turn-nasty-after-disputed-poll-fingers-crossed-guinea|accessdate=18 October 2015|work=[[The Economist]]}}</ref>
==Music video==
[[File:Secretmusicvideo.jpg|thumb|Madonna singing in a club in the "Secret" music video]]
The [[music video]] for "Secret" was directed by photographer Melodie McDaniel, who previously had gained acclaim as a photographer for album artwork.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gupmagazine.com/bookmarks/tag/Issue%20%2320?page=2|title=Melodie McDaniel - Profile|publisher=GUP Magazine|accessdate=March 10, 2014}}</ref> It was filmed on September 9–11, 1994 at the [[Lenox Lounge]] and on location on Lenox Avenue in Harlem,<ref name="lamb">{{cite web|url=http://top40.about.com/od/popmusicvideogalleries/tp/Top-10-Madonna-Videos.htm|title=Top 10 Madonna Music Videos|publisher=[[About.com]]|accessdate=March 10, 2014}}</ref> and premiered on October 4 on [[MTV]].<ref>http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19941003&id=TL0cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=eXwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6629,5364230</ref> The video was filmed in lush photographic [[black and white]].<ref name="lamb"/> It begins with Madonna singing in a club. As the song progresses, Madonna walks down a street, while images of people along the street are shown.<ref name="lamb"/> At the climax of the video, Madonna reaches her home to her love interest (played by model Jason Olive) and his young son.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0646619/?ref_=rvi_nm|title=Jason Olive - Internet Movie Database|publisher=Internet Movie Database|accessdate=March 10, 2014}}</ref> According to the book ''Madonna's Drowned Worlds'', the young son that is revealed at the end of the video is her lover's secret.<ref>{{harvnb|Fouz-Hernández|Jarman-Ivens|2004|pp=65}}</ref> Throughout the video, scenes of Madonna are interspersed with scenes of drag queens primping, and religious iconography such as rebirth and damnation.<ref name="lamb"/> In his book ''From Hegel to Madonna'', author Robert Miklitsch states that the music video for "Secret" is a departure from the various themes - repression and loss, anger and aggression - explored so vividly on ''Bedtime Stories''.<ref name="Miklitsch 1998 124">{{harvnb|Miklitsch|1998|pp=124}}</ref> Miklitsch goes on to say that, although the video depicts images of cleansing rebirth, the fact that Madonna announced that she was pregnant in 1996 shows that, in retrospect, "Secret" may have been less about cleansing rebirth, and instead more about maternity as birth.<ref name="Miklitsch 1998 124"/> Bill Lamb of [[About.com]] ranked the video at number eight on his list of "Top 10 Madonna Music Videos."<ref name="lamb"/>


==Results==
==Live performances and cover==
{{Election results
{{See also|List of cover versions of Madonna songs|List of Madonna tribute albums}}
|cand1=[[Alpha Condé]]|party1=[[Rally of the Guinean People]]|votes1=2284827
"Secret" was performed on tour for the first time during Madonna's 2001 [[Drowned World Tour]], during the cowgirl section of the show.<ref name="ew">{{cite news|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,256076,00.html|title=Reign In Spain|last=McAlley|first=John|date=2001-06-22|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|accessdate=March 10, 2014}}</ref> The performance was accompanied by a video montage of riverside baptismals, Sufi dervish ceremonies and Buddhist prayers.<ref name="ew"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/27/movies/pop-review-sea-of-self-love-but-who-s-drowning.html|title=Pop Review; Sea of Self-Love, but Who's Drowning?|last=Pareles|first=Jon|date=2001-07-27|authorlink=Jon Pareles|work=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=March 10, 2014}}</ref> [[Alexis Petridis]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' called the performance "a gorgeous acoustic reading."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2001/jul/05/artsfeatures.popandrock|title=Madonna - Earl's Court Exhibition Centre, London|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|date=2001-07-05|work=[[The Guardian]]|publisher=[[Guardian News and Media]]|accessdate=March 10, 2014}}</ref> During the New York City performance of "Secret", she dedicated the song to its inhabitants.<ref name="slant">{{cite web|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/features/drownedworld.asp|title=Madonna: Drowned World Tour Review|last=Cinquemani|first=Sal|date=2001-09-10|work=[[Slant Magazine]]|accessdate=2009-12-29}}</ref> In November 2008 it was performed at the Houston stop of Madonna's Sticky and Sweet Tour as a fan request. Brazilian singer [[Danni Carlos]] covered the song for her 2005 album ''Rock' 'n' Road All Night''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/rock-n-road-all-night-mw0000705047|title=Danni Carlos: Rock 'n' Road All Night|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=March 10, 2014}}</ref>
|cand2=[[Cellou Dalein Diallo]]|party2=[[Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea]]|votes2=1242362
|cand3=[[Sidya Touré]]|party3=[[Union of Republican Forces]]|votes3=237549
|cand4={{ill|Faya Millimono|fr}}|party4=Liberal Bloc|votes4=54718
|cand5={{ill|Papa Koly Kourouma|fr}}|party5=Generations for Reconciliation, Union, and Prosperity|votes5=51750
|cand6=[[Lansana Kouyaté]]|party6={{ill|Party of Hope for National Development|fr|Parti de l'espoir pour le développement national}}|votes6=45962
|cand7={{ill|Georges Gandhi Tounkara|fr}}|party7=Guinean Union for Democracy and Development|votes7=19840
|cand8={{ill|Marie Madeleine Dioubaté|fr}}|party8=Guinea Ecologists Party|votes8=13214
|invalid=185091
|electorate=6042634
|source=[https://guilaw.com/cour-constitutionnelle-arret-n-ae-05-du-31-octobre-2015/ Constitutional Court]
}}


==Reactions==
==Track listings and versions==
After CENI head Bakary Fofana announced there would be no run-off, Diallo and Touré alleged fraud and said they would not recognise the result. Diallo said "I will invite the other candidates and all the citizens who are the real victims of this electoral hold-up to organise, conforming to the law, peaceful demonstrations to express our disapproval of this situation",<Ref name="dna">[http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-guinea-president-alpha-conde-wins-second-term-opponent-vows-to-protest-2135990 "Guinea President Alpha Conde wins second term, opponent vows to protest"], DNA India, 18 October 2015.</ref> and that the demonstrations would occur "at the appropriate time... to express our indignation and protest against this serious denial of democracy",<ref name="yahoo1" /> while a spokesman for Condé criticised the notion of holding protests, saying that it "risks dragging the country into instability, chaos and violence".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dw.com/en/guinea-incumbent-conde-wins-disputed-election/a-18789180|title=Guinea incumbent Conde wins disputed election|date=17 October 2015|publisher=Deutsche Welle|accessdate=18 October 2015}}</ref> He urged supporters of Condé to "stay calm, avoid gloating and get ready to face the numerous challenges that await us".<ref name="yahoo1">Selim Saheb Ettaba and Abdoulaye Bah, [https://news.yahoo.com/guinea-president-elected-first-round-voting-provisional-results-215032915.html "Guinea opposition leader vows protests against Conde re-election"], Agence France-Presse, 17 October 2015.</ref>
Major formats released for "Secret", some of the remixes also appear on the UK and European versions of the single "[[Bedtime Story (Madonna song)|Bedtime Story]]" (1995).
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
*;UK 7" Picture Disc (WO268, 5439-18031-7)
# "Secret" (Radio Edit) – 4:30
# "Let Down Your Guard" (Rough Mix Edit) – 4:33


Final results were announced by the [[Constitutional Court of Guinea|Constitutional Court]] on 31 October 2015, closely matching the provisional results from the electoral commission. Condé was credited with 57.84% of the vote (2,284,827 votes) and Diallo with 31.45%. Condé was accordingly declared to have won in a single round, with his second term to begin on 21 December.<ref>[https://news.yahoo.com/guinea-court-confirms-president-condes-election-223545986.html "Guinea court confirms President Conde's re-election"], Agence France-Presse, 31 October 2015.</ref>
*;U.S. 2-Track Single (2-18035)
# "Secret" (Album Version) – 5:05
# "Secret" (Instrumental) – 5:05


Condé was sworn in on 14 December 2015.<ref>[https://news.yahoo.com/guineas-president-sworn-2nd-term-175524861.html "Guinea's president sworn in for 2nd term"], Associated Press, 14 December 2015.</ref>
*;U.S. CD maxi-single (9 41772-2)
# "Secret" (Edit) – 4:28
# "Secret" (Junior's Luscious Single Mix) – 4:16
# "Secret" (Junior's Luscious Club Mix) – 6:17
# "Secret" (Junior's Sound Factory Mix) – 10:17
# "Secret" (Some Bizarre Mix) – 9:48
# "Secret" (Allstar Mix) – 5:10

*;Australian / UK / European CD single (9362-41785-2)
# "Secret" (Edit) – 4:30
# "Let Down Your Guard" (Rough Mix Edit) – 4:33
# "Secret" (Instrumental) – 5:03
# "Secret" (LP Version) – 5:04

*;UK 12" single (WO268T, 9362-41785-0)
# "Secret" (LP Version) – 5:04
# "Let Down Your Guard" (Rough Mix Edit) – 4:33
# "Secret" (Instrumental) – 5:03
# "Secret" (Edit) – 4:30

{{col-2}}
*;Japanese CD "The Remixes" EP (WPCR-170)
# "Secret" (Junior's Luscious Single Mix) – 4:16
# "Secret" (Junior's Extended Luscious Club Mix) – 7:57
# "Secret" (Junior's Luscious Dub) – 6:21
# "Secret" (Junior's Sound Factory Mix) – 10:18
# "Secret" (Junior's Sound Factory Dub) – 7:58
# "Secret" (Some Bizarre Mix) – 9:48
# "Secret" (Allstar Mix) – 5:10
# "Secret" (Radio Edit) – 4:30

*;UK / European "The Remixes" CD single (9362-41806-2)
# "Secret" (Junior's Luscious Single Mix) – 4:16
# "Secret" (Junior's Extended Luscious Club Mix) – 7:57
# "Secret" (Junior's Luscious Dub) – 6:21
# "Secret" (Junior's Sound Factory Mix) – 10:18
# "Secret" (Junior's Sound Factory Dub) – 7:58
{{col-end}}

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Peak positions===
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
!Chart (1994)
!Peak<br />position
|-
{{singlechart|Australia|5|song=Secret|artist=Madonna|accessdate=January 14, 2014}}
|-
{{singlechart|Austria|11|song=Secret|artist=Madonna|accessdate=January 14, 2014}}
|-
{{singlechart|Flanders|15|song=Secret|artist=Madonna|accessdate=January 14, 2014}}
|-
|Canada Top Singles (''[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.2662&volume=60&issue=18&issue_dt=November%2021%201994&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=4dp17sl7hp9qmhhj3vmcenr836 |title=Top Singles – Volume 60, No. 18, November 21, 1994 |publisher=Collectionscanada.gc.ca |accessdate=2012-09-10}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|Denmark ([[IFPI]])<ref name="Den">{{cite journal|title=Billboard 29. okt 1994|date=29 October 1994|url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=YQgEAAAAMBAJ |page=59 }} |accessdate=24 February 2012|page=59|work=Billboard}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|8
|-
|Finland ([[Suomen virallinen lista]])<ref name="fin">{{cite book | first= Jake | last= Nyman |year= 2005 | title={{lang|fin|Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja}} | edition= 1st | publisher=Tammi | location= Helsinki| isbn= 951-31-2503-3| language= Finnish }}</ref>
|align="center"|1
|-
{{singlechart|France|2|song=Secret|artist=Madonna|accessdate=January 14, 2014}}
|-
{{singlechart|Germany2|29|song=Secret|artist=Madonna|accessdate=January 14, 2014}}
|-
|Ireland ([[Irish Singles Chart|IRMA]])<ref name="ireland">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement?page=7|title=Madonna Search - Secret|publisher=[[Irish Singles Chart|IRMA]]|accessdate=March 10, 2014}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|16
|-
|Italy ([[FIMI]])<ref name="ita">{{cite web|url=http://www.hitparadeitalia.it/mono/madonna_disco.htm|title=Madonna: Discografia Italiana|date=1984–1999|publisher=[[Federation of the Italian Music Industry]]|accessdate=2010-01-08|language=Italian}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|3
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch40|15|song=Secret|artist=Madonna|accessdate=January 14, 2014}}
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch100|20|song=Secret|artist=Madonna|accessdate=January 14, 2014}}
|-
{{singlechart|New Zealand|5|song=Secret|artist=Madonna|accessdate=January 14, 2014}}
|-
{{singlechart|Scotland|5|artist=Madonna|song=Secret|date=October 2, 1994|refname=scotland|accessdate=June 12, 2015}}
|-
|Spain ([[PROMUSICAE]])<ref name="spain">{{cite book |last=Salaverri|first=Fernando|title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002|accessdate=2010-07-13|edition=1st|date=September 2005|publisher=Fundación Autor-SGAE|location=Spain|isbn=84-8048-639-2}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|4
|-
{{singlechart|Sweden|12|song=Madonna|artist=Secret}}
|-
{{singlechart|Switzerland|1|song=Madonna|artist=Secret}}
|-
{{singlechart|UKsinglesbyname|5|artist=Madonna}}
|-
{{singlechart|Billboardhot100|3|artist=Madonna}}
|-
{{singlechart|Billboardadultcontemporary|2|artist=Madonna}}
|-
{{singlechart|Billboarddanceclubplay|1|artist=Madonna}}
|-
{{singlechart|Billboardpopsongs|3|artist=Madonna}}
|-
!scope="row"|US [[Rhythmic Songs]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/308786/madonna/chart?f=378|title=Madonna Chart History: Rhythmic Songs|work=Billboard}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|9
|-
|}
{{col-2}}

===End of year charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!align="left"|End of year chart (1994)
! style="text-align:center;"|Position
|-
|Australia [[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]] Singles Chart<ref name="aria">{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-50-singles-1994.htm |title=ARIA Charts - End of Year Charts - Top 50 Singles 1994 |publisher=Aria.com.au |accessdate=2012-09-10}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|46
|-
|Canada Top Singles (RPM)<ref name="rpm"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|23
|-
|Italian Singles Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitparadeitalia.it/hp_yends/hpe1994.htm|title=Top Annuali Single: 1994|publisher=[[Federation of the Italian Music Industry]]|language=Italian|accessdate=2012-06-06}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|38
|-
|[[French Singles Chart]]<ref name="year 1994">{{cite web|url=http://www.disqueenfrance.com/fr/pag-259376-Classements-Annuels.html?year=1994|title=Classement Singles-anee 1994}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|26
|-
|U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Year in Music - Hot 100 Singles|work=Billboard|date=1994-12-24|volume=106|issue=52|issn=0006-2510 |url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=ZAgEAAAAMBAJ }} |author1=Nielsen Business Media|first1=Inc}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|84
|-
!align="left"|End of year chart (1995)
! style="text-align:center;"|Position
|-
|[[French Singles Chart]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.disqueenfrance.com/fr/pag-259376-Classements-Annuels.html?year=1995|title=Classement Singles-annee 1995}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|56
|-
|U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1995|title=Billboard Top 100 - 1995|accessdate=2012-06-06}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|71
|}

===Certifications===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Country
! [[List of music recording certifications|Certification]]
|-
|[[Canadian Recording Industry Association|Canada]]
|Gold<ref name="criacerti">{{cite web|url=http://cria.staging.moveable.ca/GPSearchResult.aspx?st=&ica=False&sa=madonna&sl=&smt=0&sat=-1&ssb=Artist|title=Madonna Hung Up : CRIA database search|date=April 10, 2006|publisher=[[Canadian Recording Industry Association]]|accessdate=2009-06-24}}</ref>
|-
|[[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|France]]
|Silver<ref name="snep">{{cite web|url=http://www.infodisc.fr/Single_Certif.php|title=InfoDisc : Les Certifications (Singles) du SNEP (Bilan par Artiste) – Search for "Madonna"|publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|language=French|accessdate=2010-08-24}}</ref>
|-
|[[Recording Industry Association of America|United States]]
|Gold<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=Madonna&format=SINGLE&go=Search&perPage=50|title=Madonna-Secret-Single Certification|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America}}</ref>
|}
{{col-end}}

{{s-start}}
{{succession box
| before= "[[I'll Make Love to You]]" by Boyz II Men
| title = Canadian [[RPM (magazine)|RPM]] Singles Chart [[RPM number-one hits of 1994|number-one single]]
| years = November 14, 1994 - November 28, 1994
| after = "[[Always (Bon Jovi song)|Always]]" by [[Bon Jovi]]
}}
{{succession box
| before= "Always" by Bon Jovi
| title = [[Swiss Music Charts|Swiss Singles Chart]] [[List of Swiss number-one hits of 1994|number-one single]]
| years = November 20, 1994
| after = "[[Cotton Eye Joe]]" by [[Rednex]]
}}
{{succession box
| before = "Dreamer" by [[Livin' Joy]]
| title = [[Hot Dance Club Play|''Billboard'' Hot Dance Club Play]] [[Number-one dance hits of 1994 (USA)|number-one single]]
| years = November 26, 1994 - December 3, 1994
| after = "Excited" by [[M People]]
}}
{{s-end}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.mad-eyes.net/disco/bs/secret.htm Mad-eyes.net — "Secret" Single Page]
* {{MetroLyrics song|madonna|secret}}<!-- Licensed lyrics provider -->


{{Madonna songs}}
{{Guinean elections}}


[[Category:2015 elections in Africa|Guinea]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Secret (Madonna Song)}}
[[Category:1994 singles]]
[[Category:2015 in Guinea|Presidential]]
[[Category:Madonna (entertainer) songs]]
[[Category:Presidential elections in Guinea]]
[[Category:Billboard Dance Club Songs number-one singles]]
[[Category:October 2015 events in Africa|Guinea]]
[[Category:RPM Top Singles number-one singles]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Switzerland]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Dallas Austin]]
[[Category:Songs written by Madonna (entertainer)]]
[[Category:Songs written by Dallas Austin]]
[[Category:Singles certified silver by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique]]
[[Category:Singles certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America]]
[[Category:Black-and-white music videos]]

Latest revision as of 18:05, 31 March 2024

2015 Guinean presidential election
← 2010 11 October 2015 2020 →
Registered6,042,634
Turnout68.44%
 
Nominee Alpha Condé Cellou Dalein Diallo Sidya Touré
Party RPG UFDG UFR
Popular vote 2,284,827 1,242,362 237,549
Prozentualer Anteil 57.84% 31.45% 6.01%
President before election

Alpha Condé
RPG

Elected President

Alpha Condé
RPG

Politics of Guinea
Constitution
Regierung
Parliament
Administrative divisions
Elections
Foreign relations

Presidential elections were held in Guinea on 11 October 2015.[1][2] The result was a first-round victory for incumbent President Alpha Condé, who received 58% of the vote.[3]

Background

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In December 2013, the Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa that began in Guinea spread to neighbouring Sierra Leone and Liberia, as well as with health workers and visitors who returned to their respective countries. At the time of the elections the worst of the epidemic was over, although there were still a lesser number of prevalent cases.[4]

The seven opposition parties called for a postponement,[5] citing alleged irregularities in the electoral roll, but their pleas were rejected by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI).[6] Cellou Dalein Diallo of the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG) also petitioned the Supreme Court of Guinea to have the election postponed, but it was rejected.[6]

Electoral system

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The elections were held using the two-round system, with a second round taking place if no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the first round.[7] Presidents are limited to two terms in office, allowing incumbent president Alpha Condé to run for a second term.

Campaign

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A total of eight candidates contested the elections;[6] including incumbent Condé, Diallo, who was named as the candidate of the UFDG on 25 July 2015,[8] Sidya Touré of the Union of Republican Forces, Papa Koly Kourouma of the Generations for Reconciliation, Union, and Prosperity party, Georges Gandhi Faraguet of the Guinean Union for Democracy and Development, Faya Millimouno of the Liberal Bloc, Marie Madeleine Dioubaté of the Guinea Ecologists Party and Lansana Kouyaté of the National Party for Hope and Development.[7]

During the campaign Condé told voters that he aimed to promote development and consolidate stability. Diallo promised to give priority to youth employment, as well as "access to health care, decent housing, water, electricity, safety, and justice".[6] His campaign slogan promised to deliver a "KO blow" to his opponents. He cited his record on overhauling the army and judiciary, the completion of a hydroelectric dam and reforms in making the mineral-rich country's mining contracts more transparent. He said in an interview: "Ask the people of Guinea if what we have done in five years, the others did in 50. Ask that on the streets."[9] His campaign was said to benefit from improving supply of electricity in Conakry and the relative stability the country endured despite the Ebola epidemic.[10]

Diallo called on voters to make their voices heard following the rejection of his plea for a delay of the "imperfect" process. "We will vote, defend our suffrage, defend our victory because there is no way we will let our victory be stolen."[11] Prior to the vote, all seven opponents of the incumbent said they would challenge the outcome. A joint statement read: "The seven candidates will not recognise the results which will be made following an election with anomalies and irregularities."[4]

Conduct

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Violence during the election campaign, including clashes between supporters of Condé and Diallo in Koundara,[12] led to the deaths of at least three people.[6] A curfew was put in place in Nzérékoré after one person was killed and dozens injured during a visit by Condé on 5 October.[12] United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon then called for the vote to be "conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner."[4]

Voting centres were open from 7:00 until 18:00, while national borders were closed for the day and traffic restricted to that of electoral observers, government officials and security forces, in accordance with a presidential decree. Around 19,000 police and members of the security services were on duty.[4] Condé also declared that over 90% of voter cards had been distributed.

Monitors included an African Union observer mission and a 72-member European Union delegation. The EU delegation cited “massive deficiencies” ahead of polling; however, in its post-election report it concluded that the process overall was “valid”.[13]

Results

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CandidatePartyVotes%
Alpha CondéRally of the Guinean People2,284,82757.84
Cellou Dalein DialloUnion of Democratic Forces of Guinea1,242,36231.45
Sidya TouréUnion of Republican Forces237,5496.01
Faya Millimono [fr]Liberal Bloc54,7181.39
Papa Koly Kourouma [fr]Generations for Reconciliation, Union, and Prosperity51,7501.31
Lansana KouyatéParty of Hope for National Development [fr]45,9621.16
Georges Gandhi Tounkara [fr]Guinean Union for Democracy and Development19,8400.50
Marie Madeleine Dioubaté [fr]Guinea Ecologists Party13,2140.33
Total3,950,222100.00
Valid votes3,950,22295.52
Invalid/blank votes185,0914.48
Total votes4,135,313100.00
Registered voters/turnout6,042,63468.44
Source: Constitutional Court

Reactions

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After CENI head Bakary Fofana announced there would be no run-off, Diallo and Touré alleged fraud and said they would not recognise the result. Diallo said "I will invite the other candidates and all the citizens who are the real victims of this electoral hold-up to organise, conforming to the law, peaceful demonstrations to express our disapproval of this situation",[10] and that the demonstrations would occur "at the appropriate time... to express our indignation and protest against this serious denial of democracy",[14] while a spokesman for Condé criticised the notion of holding protests, saying that it "risks dragging the country into instability, chaos and violence".[15] He urged supporters of Condé to "stay calm, avoid gloating and get ready to face the numerous challenges that await us".[14]

Final results were announced by the Constitutional Court on 31 October 2015, closely matching the provisional results from the electoral commission. Condé was credited with 57.84% of the vote (2,284,827 votes) and Diallo with 31.45%. Condé was accordingly declared to have won in a single round, with his second term to begin on 21 December.[16]

Condé was sworn in on 14 December 2015.[17]

References

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  1. ^ "African election calendar 2015". Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa. 2015. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  2. ^ "Guinea's Conde replaces minister charged with organising election". Reuters. 25 February 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  3. ^ "Guinea president Alpha Conde wins second term with clear majority". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 17 October 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d Guinea Holds Tense Vote Despite Opposition Mistrust, NDTV, 11 October 2015
  5. ^ "Guinean opposition calls for postponement of presidential polls", Xinhua, 7 October 2015.
  6. ^ a b c d e Guineans vote in presidential poll amid tension BBC News, 11 November 2015
  7. ^ a b Republic of Guinea IFES
  8. ^ "Guinea's former PM to run for presidency in October", AFP, 25 July 2015.
  9. ^ "Guinea votes after campaign plagued with violence". Al Jazeera. 11 October 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  10. ^ a b "Guinea President Alpha Conde wins second term, opponent vows to protest", DNA India, 18 October 2015.
  11. ^ "Guinea presidential election to go ahead". Deutsche Welle. 11 October 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  12. ^ a b Will Guinea election be free and fair? BBC News, 8 October 2015
  13. ^ "Fingers crossed in Guinea: Things could turn nasty after a disputed poll". The Economist. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  14. ^ a b Selim Saheb Ettaba and Abdoulaye Bah, "Guinea opposition leader vows protests against Conde re-election", Agence France-Presse, 17 October 2015.
  15. ^ "Guinea incumbent Conde wins disputed election". Deutsche Welle. 17 October 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  16. ^ "Guinea court confirms President Conde's re-election", Agence France-Presse, 31 October 2015.
  17. ^ "Guinea's president sworn in for 2nd term", Associated Press, 14 December 2015.
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