Polls open for Senegal's presidential election

MICHELE CATTANI / AFP

Senegal went to the polls in the first round of a presidential election, with Macky Sall expected to win a second-term.

As many as 6.5 million people are registered to cast their vote, with polling stations open until 1800 GMT pm on Sunday.

Sall’s two main challengers - Dakar mayor Khalifa Sall and Karim Wade, the son of the previous president - have been banned from running over corruption charges.

"Victory in the first round is indisputable," Sall told a campaign rally, hoping to cash in on his new infrastructure projects that is aimed at boosting economic growth.

Official results are due on Friday.

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