The first presidential vote since the military coup

People go to the polls to choose the next president for Gabon, as he was not a member of the Bongo family for the first time in decades.

Former President Ali Bongo was forced into power 19 months ago by Gen Brice Oligui Nguea, who changed the constitution to allow him to run in Saturday elections.

There are a total of eight candidates to run to become president, with only one woman in the race – Gninga Change Zenaba.

Among the other presidential competitors are former Prime Minister Alan Claude Billy Nazi, who served during the Bongo regime, as well as two secrets in the former PDG party, Stéphane Germain Iloko and Alain Simplice Boundères.

The election results can start on Sunday, but officials can continue to count until next week.

Nearly a million people are expected to vote in Gabon and her diaspora.

The wealthy nation of Central Africa is the home of only 2.5 million people. Despite its resources, about 35 % of the population still lives below the poverty line of $ 2 (1.50 pounds) per day.

During the two -week campaign, most of the candidates gave the priority of the voters in the interior while the gatherings in the capital, Libreville were limited.

However, large numbers of oligui nguea’s advertising paintings and billboards dominate the streets of Libreville, with very few competitors ’ads.

“I will vote for the oligui nguea,” reads a campaign message on the top of the taxi driver, Obami Mizawi, who loves the leader of the Military Council because he “came with a new way to do things-work before speeches.”

But Oligui Nguea critics say that he presided over an unfair transitional and electoral process, has entered a new constitution and an electoral law aimed at preferring his candidacy in the elections, despite his promise to hand over power to civilians.

The upper limit has also been presented, making one of the most popular opposition competitors in Aligoy Albert Albert Osa is inaccurate.

Go back to the barracks, it was JIBE From the man seen as his closest competitor in voting, Bilie -By-nze. He considers himself the change that the country needs, but its proximity to the circumstantial regime still attracts criticism from some.

After 55 consecutive years during the era of President Omar Bongo and his son Ali Bongo, the Gabonese BBC told the Gabonese that everything they want is an end to embezzlement, favoritism, debt and unemployment they carried.

“Our expectations are that we have a new gabon governing it well, as there is social justice, fairness and equal opportunities,” said Nawil Couca. “We want an advanced and prosperous Gabon.”

“I would like the (next) president to focus more on jobs,” said the 30 -year -old pharmacist Shunais Aklavli.

“The unemployment rate is very high, so at least you should show some sympathy for this issue, especially in the private sector.”

The polls are scheduled to close at 18:00 local time (17:00 GMT) on Saturday.