Sierra Leone votes amid crippling economic crisis

Sierra Leone voted Saturday in a general election, with President Julius Maada Bio seeking a second term. Polling stations opened later than the scheduled time of 7:00 am in the capital Freetown, including in the central Wilberforce Barracks area.

Some 3.4 million people are registered to vote, 52.4 percent of whom are under 35 years old, according to an electoral commission spokesman. Presidential candidates must secure 55 percent of valid votes for a first-round win.

Turnout has ranged between 76 and 87 percent over the past three elections. Voters will also elect members of parliament and local councils in a proportional representation system after a last-minute switch from a first-past-the-post system. Under a recently passed gender act, one-third of all candidates must be women.