Ivory Coast counts votes in key election with incumbent Ouattara predicted to win fourth term

Votes were being counted late Saturday in Ivory Coast after citizens cast their ballots to elect a new leader. Longtime President Alassane Ouattara is seeking a fourth term while his key contenders were barred from the race.

Although the Independent Electoral Commission announced a turnout of 50% based on initial assessment of ballots counted so far, the turnout was much lower in many ballot stations in the main city of Abidjan, according to residents and Associated Press reporters on-site.

Election results were expected between Sunday and Monday, according to Ibrahime Kuibiert Coulibaly, head of the electoral commission.

The election is the latest example of aging men continuing to hold power in Africa, which boasts the youngest population in the world. Cameroon’s Paul Biya, 92, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, 81, and Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Mbasogo, 83, are some other older African leaders still in power.

Five candidates are jostling for Ivory Coast’s