The citizens of the Republic of Congo are expected to elect their preferred presidential candidate in today’s general election.
The election is expected to hold amid much political controversy after the main opposition party boycotted it. Critics have likewise criticised it for tilting towards veteran leader Denis Sassou Nguesso.
The 77-year-old is widely expected to win against six contenders, led by economist and 2016 presidential runner-up Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas, who revealed Saturday that he is gravely ill.
Sassou Nguesso, a former paratrooper, first rose to power in 1979 and has since accumulated 36 years in office, making him one of the world’s longest-serving leaders.
He is hoping for a first-round victory to secure a fourth term running the central African oil exporter.
