Voting has commenced in Gabon, a nation rich in oil resources, where President Ali Bongo is seeking a third term after assuming power following his father Omar's death in 2009.

Facing competition from a field of 13 candidates, President Bongo's main rival, Albert Ondo Ossa, leading the Alternance 2023 coalition, entered the race just last week with the belief that Gabon is not the sole domain of the Bongo family.

Concerns about the fairness of the election process persist, mirroring previous general elections. Mr. Bongo's previous victories were challenged as fraudulent, and this time, last-minute alterations to the ballot papers have raised further controversies.

In a new development, voters are required to mark a single ballot indicating their choice for both president and a parliament member from the same party.

This setup is considered a disadvantage to independent candidates, such as Mr. Ondo Ossa, who leads the opposition Alternance 2023 alliance but lacks his own party.

Media from abroad have been prohibited from entering the country to cover the election, and international election monitors from the EU and UN will not be present.

Local civil society group Tournons La Page says they will try to act as observers despite having no official accreditation.

Before Saturday's vote, a row erupted with President Bongo accusing Mr. Ondo Ossa and another opposition figure of treason.

The pair deny claims that they were recorded plotting ways to create a power struggle in Gabon and win support from foreign powers, and they have accused the government of "shameful manipulation" in a statement released by Alternance 2023.

As well as voting for their choice of president and MPs, the people of Gabon are also choosing mayors and local councilors.

Gabon has a total population of 2.3 million people and enjoys oil wealth and rich swathes of rainforest.

However, the global economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic has led to declining exports of raw materials.

May God's kingdom come soon to solve our problems.

Really