Voters in Gabon Cast Ballots in Presidential, Legislative, and Local Elections

Voters in Gabon are heading to the polls today, Saturday, to participate in presidential, legislative, and local elections, where the opposition hopes to thwart President Ali Bongo's bid for a third term and end his family's 56-year hold on power. Voting begins at 7 AM GMT, with 19 candidates participating in the presidential election; however, six of the main opposition parties are backing a joint candidate in an effort to narrow the race and oust Bongo. This voting represents a long-awaited test of the support Bongo enjoys. Critics argue that he has done little to ensure that Gabon's oil wealth benefits about one-third of the country's 2.3 million inhabitants who live in poverty, and they question his ability to govern after he suffered a stroke in 2018. Vote counting is scheduled to begin after polls close at 5 PM GMT, but it is still unclear when preliminary results will be announced.