The people of Chad are voting in a presidential election widely expected to deliver President Idriss Deby a fifth term in office.
Mr Deby, who took power in a coup 26 years ago, is seen by Western governments as a bulwark against Islamist militants in central Africa.
In the run-up to the election, protest marches were banned and activists imprisoned.
Despite Chad’s new oil wealth, half its 13 million people live in poverty.
The opposition boycotted the last election in 2011, allowing Mr Deby an easy victory, while this year his chances of winning again have been strengthened by fractures in the opposition.
One prominent opposition activist, Ngarlejy Yorongar, has been banned from standing.
A referendum in Chad in 2005 scrapped a clause restricting presidents to two terms but Mr Deby says he will reinstate it if re-elected.
Deby’s message of stability is winning him support.
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