Voters in Côte d’Ivoire headed to the polls on Saturday morning to elect a new president, in a vote taking place amid political tensions and growing economic challenges.

Polling stations opened at 8:00 a.m. GMT and will close at 6:00 p.m., with more than eight million registered voters expected to cast their ballots.

Five candidates are running for the presidency, led by incumbent Alassane Ouattara, alongside Simone Ehivet Gbagbo (76), Ahoua Don Mello (71), Pascal Affi N’Guessan (72), and Jean-Louis Billon.

The vote takes place without several prominent opposition leaders, including former president Laurent Gbagbo and ex-finance minister Tidjane Thiam, whose candidacies were rejected by the Constitutional Council.

Ouattara, aged 83, is seeking another term on the strength of 15 years of economic growth and relative stability, hinting that this may be his final presidential bid.