Republic of Congo votes in an election that’s expected to extend incumbent president’s 42-year rule

The Republic of Congo is voting to elect a leader Sunday that is likely to see incumbent President Denis Sassou N’Guesso take a fifth consecutive term.

Some 3 million people are registered to vote in the election, which has been marked by a lethargic mood among young people who expect Sassou N’Guesso to win again, and a call for a boycott by opposition parties. Polls are expected to close by 7 p.m. (1800 GMT).

Six other candidates are challenging the 82-year-old Sassou N’Guesso for the top job in the Central African country that boasts one of the largest oil reserves in sub-Saharan Africa. But analysts say none of them can mount a significant challenge against the incumbent, who has been in power for a total of 42 years.

The internet has been shut down across the country as usual during the presidential election in the country, and traffic has been