In the oil-rich nation of Gabon, in central Africa, elections have been held, with President Ali Bongo expecting to win a third term after succeeding his late father Omar in 2009.
There are 13 opponents for him.
For security purposes, the authorities imposed a curfew and the suspension of internet access after voting ended.
Albert Ondo Ossa, the leading opposition candidate, had claimed on Saturday that there were numerous voting places lacking ballots with his name on them.
He asserted on the campaign trail that "Gabon is not the Bongos' property."
Ondo Ossa, a former economics professor and minister of education, was just named the Alternance 2023 coalition's leader last week.
The group claims that several of the candidates who have dropped out of the presidential election still have their names listed on the ballot.
There are significant problems with the procedure, just like in previous general elections.
Opponents challenged Mr. Bongo's previous victories as being fraudulent, and weeks before election day this time, contentious amendments were made to the ballot papers.
Voters were required to choose a president and MP who must be from the same party on a single ballot for the first time.
According to experts, this hurts independent candidates, especially Mr. Ondo Ossa, who leads the biggest opposition coalition but doesn't have his own party.
According to the advocacy group Reporters Without Borders, foreign media are not permitted to enter the nation to cover the election on Saturday.
Also absent were any international election observers from the EU or UN.
Despite lacking official credentials, the local civil society group Tournons La Page stated that they would attempt to function as observers.
The administration issued a curfew beginning on Sunday evening and stated internet connection had been blocked nationwide as voting came to a conclusion due to allegations of delays at several polling places.
The regulations, according to Communications Minister Rodrigue Mboumba Bissawou, are intended to combat "calls for violence... and false information."
President Bongo accused Mr. Ondo Ossa and another opposition leader of treason prior to the vote on Saturday.
The two have issued a statement through Alternance 2023 in which they accuse the government of engaging in "shameful deception" and refute charges that they were overheard discussing strategies to incite a power struggle in Gabon and win the backing of foreign powers.
The people of Gabon were voting for their preferred president, MPs, and mayors in addition to local council members.
With a population of 2.3 million, Gabon benefits from its oil wealth and vast tracts of rainforest.
However, the coronavirus pandemic's effects on the world economy have resulted in a decline in raw material exports.
Back in 2018, President Bongo had a stroke that left him disabled for nearly a year and prompted calls for his resignation.
Election in Gabon:
President Ali Bongo has been in power since 2009, succeeding his father Omar Bongo who had been in power for 41 years before his death.
The 2023 election marked Ali Bongo's attempt at securing a third term in office.
There were 13 opposition candidates challenging Bongo's presidency.
Ahead of the election, there were concerns about the fairness of the electoral process due to allegations of fraudulent practices in previous elections.
The election took place under heightened security measures, including a curfew and suspension of internet access after voting ended. These measures were ostensibly implemented to maintain public order and prevent the spread of false information.
Albert Ondo Ossa emerged as a leading opposition candidate and was named the leader of the Alternance 2023 coalition, a significant opposition alliance.
Ondo Ossa's coalition claimed that some candidates who had dropped out of the race still appeared on the ballots.
The electoral process was criticized for changes that required voters to choose both a president and a member of parliament from the same party on a single ballot. This was seen as disadvantageous to independent candidates like Ondo Ossa.
International media coverage was restricted, and foreign media outlets were not allowed to cover the election. No international election observers from the EU or UN were present.
Coup attempt in Gabon: What happened
Following an attempted military coup against President Ali Bongo, a government spokesman declared that the political situation in Gabon is "in control."
The president's administration reports that two soldiers who took part in the attempted coup in Gabon on Monday have been murdered.
The subordinate officers asserted that they overthrew the ill leader's family after 50 years of dominance in the oil-rich nation of Gabon in order to "establish democracy."
An attempted military coup occurred against President Ali Bongo's government.
The coup attempt took place shortly after the election, indicating a complex and volatile political situation in the country.
The coup plotters claimed that they were overthrowing the Bongo family's decades-long rule to establish democracy in the country.
The coup attempt was reportedly led by a group of junior military officers.
The government spokesperson stated that the situation was under control, suggesting that the coup attempt had been thwarted by loyalist forces.
Two soldiers who participated in the coup attempt were reportedly killed by government forces.
