Gabon goes to the polls in presidential race

LIBREVILLE, Gabon

Over half a million voters are going to the polls on Saturday to elect Gambia’s next head of state.

The two favorites in the election are incumbent president Ali Bongo and the leader of the main opposition Jean Ping.

Bongo, 57, came to power in 2009 after the death of his father Omar Bongo who ruled the country for 42 years.

His main opponent Ping, 73, is the leader of the Gabonese Progress Party. He was the chair of the African Union commission between 2008 and 2012.

Polling stations will close at 6 p.m. local time (1700 GMT).

Provisional results are expected after three days.

The tiny Central African state gained its independence from France in 1960.