ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) — Polls opened in the Ivory Coast on Saturday to elect a new leader as longtime President Alassane Ouattara seeks a fourth term after key contenders were barred from contesting.

Ballot stations opened shortly after 0800 GMT following initial delays. Some 8.7 million people registered to vote. Turnout has only been slightly above 50% in the last two elections.

The election is the latest example of aging men continuing to hold power in Africa, which boasts the youngest population in the world. Cameroon's Paul Biya , 92, Uganda's Yoweri Museveni, 81, and Equatorial Guinea's Teodoro Mbasogo , 83, are some other older African leaders still in power.

Five candidates are jostling for Ivory Coast’s top job, but many see Ouattara, the 83-year-old leader of the wor

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