Presidential election underway in Djibouti

DJIBOUTI, Djibouti

Voting got underway in Djibouti on Friday morning in a presidential poll that most observers expect the incumbent to win.

Guelleh, who has held office since 1999 and is the country’s second president since independence from France in 1977, faces five opponents as he seeks his fourth term.

The majority of polling stations opened on time at 6 a.m. (0300GMT), according to an Anadolu Agency correspondent, and are due to close at 6 p.m.

Guelleh, 68, represents the ruling coalition, the Union for a Presidential Majority. His bid for reelection has led to criticism after he went back on a previous pledge not to stand again.

Omar Elmi Kaireh is the candidate for the main opposition, the Union for National Salvation (USN), while Mohamed Daoud Chehem is standing for the Djiboutian Party for Development.

Three independent candidates - Djama Abdourhaman Djama, Mohamed Moussa Ali and Hassan Idriss Ahmed - are also seeking election.

Some of the parties that form the USN have decided to boycott the ballot.

If no candidate receives an absolute majority, a second round of voting will be held.

There are around 187,900 registered voters in Djibouti, according to the National Independent Electoral Commission.

The Horn of Africa country has enjoyed relative stability since independence and hosts large French and U.S. military bases due to its strategically important position.