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Gambians set for president vote Gambia votes in presidential poll
(about 13 hours later)
Gambians are going to the polls on Friday in presidential elections. Gambians are going to the polls in presidential elections, with incumbent Yahya Jammeh a clear favourite.
Incumbent Yahya Jammeh faces two rivals in a winner-takes-all contest as contenders no longer need to secure 50% of the vote to avoid a second round. Dozens of people are waiting calmly to cast their votes at one polling station in the capital, Banjul, a journalist told the BBC.
Correspondents say the president is favourite to win as the opposition vote is likely to be split between Ousainou Darboe and Halifa Sallah. Voters use marbles to vote, rather than ballot papers because many Gambians are illiterate. A marble is inserted into the drum representing their candidate.
Mr Jammeh came to power in a coup 12 years ago and won a second term in office in 2001 with 53% of votes cast. The opposition is divided between Ousainou Darboe and Halifa Sallah.
Mr Darboe - the leader of the United Democratic Party - was Mr Jammeh's main rival in the last elections, taking 33% of the vote. The candidate with the most votes wins, even if he does not get 50%.
GAMBIA ELECTION CANDIDATESOusainou Darboe - UDPYahya Jammeh - APRCHalifa Sallah - Nadd
Registered voters: 670,000Polling stations: 989 href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/africa_voters_views_in_the_gambia/html/1.stm" onclick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/africa_voters_views_in_the_gambia/html/1.stm', '1158852864', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=280,top=100'); return false;" class="">Voters' views 		"Neither a coup nor a vote can remove me," the president said in his final campaign speech late on Thursday.
The opposition had intended to field one candidate, but earlier in the year Mr Darboe's United Democratic Party (UDP) and several other parties pulled out of the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (Nadd) led by Mr Sallah. GAMBIA ELECTION CANDIDATESOusainou Darboe - UDP - Yellow drumYahya Jammeh - APRC - Green drumHalifa Sallah - Nadd - Grey drum
Registered voters: 670,000Polling stations: 989 href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/africa_voters_views_in_the_gambia/html/1.stm" onclick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/africa_voters_views_in_the_gambia/html/1.stm', '1158852864', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=280,top=100'); return false;" class="">Voters' views Mr Jammeh came to power in a coup 12 years ago and won a second term in office in 2001 with 53% of votes cast.
Mr Darboe - the leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) - was Mr Jammeh's main rival in the last elections, taking 33% of the vote.
The opposition had intended to field one candidate, but earlier in the year Mr Darboe's UPD and several other parties pulled out of the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (Nadd) led by Mr Sallah.
Gambia has been relatively stable since the coup in 1994, but Mr Jammeh's administration has come under increasing criticism for arresting opposition activists.Gambia has been relatively stable since the coup in 1994, but Mr Jammeh's administration has come under increasing criticism for arresting opposition activists.
The opposition is promising respect for human rights and accountability in government.The opposition is promising respect for human rights and accountability in government.
Mr Jammeh, whose Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) party's election slogan is "Vote for peace and prosperity", promises to continue his programme of development.Mr Jammeh, whose Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) party's election slogan is "Vote for peace and prosperity", promises to continue his programme of development.
Voting day has been brought forward from October so as not to coincide with the holy month of Ramadan. Voting day has been brought forward from October so as not to coincide with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Polls are set to the close at 1600GMT, with results expected late on Friday or overnight.