In a "pre - determined" presidential election for the outgoing President, Idriss Deby, seeks a sixth term, after spending 30 years in office. The voters in Chad are voting today for

six candidates, unknown to have competed in these presidential elections after Debbie was violently ousted by the rare figures who could have threatened him in the divided opposition, despite growing popular discontent against his rule.

The President was the first to cast his vote at a polling station in the capital, N'Djamena. Debbie, 68, is one of Africa's longest-serving leaders and an ally of Western powers in fighting against Islamist militants in the west and centre of the continent.

"I invite all Chadian to participate in the voting for the candidate of their choice, who will have to face major challenges for our country over the next six years," he told journalists after casting his vote.

High security was imposed in the capital, where Chadians did not seem interested in voting for Debbie, trying hard to make a living and suffering from water and electricity cuts, sometimes for days.

The provisional results of the ballot will be announced on 25 April and the final results on 15 May.

It should be noted that, for months, the regime has systematically banned "peaceful rotation marches," which the strongest opposition parties attempt to organize every Saturday. The frightening riot police dispersed any start-up by force. These gatherings have attracted no more than a few dozen people.

Some 7.3 million of the 15 million voters were invited to vote. The security forces, the police and the army voted on Saturday.

The President is challenging six candidates, Felix Nyalbi Romadomingar, Albert Baime Badaké, Teovil Yompombi Madjitulum, Balthazar Al-Adum Grima, Pres Mbaimon Gindembay and the first woman to run in Chad's history, Lady Bisimda.