Ivory Coast voters headed to the polls on Sunday hoping to put the past behind them as the West African nation holds its first presidential election since a disputed vote five years ago triggered violence in which more than 3,000 people died.
Dozens of voters lined up outside a school in Abidjan’s Plateau district before the official start scheduled at 7 am (local time). Incumbent President Alassane Ouattara was widely expected to prevail over a divided opposition and perhaps secure enough votes to avoid a runoff.