France, Oct. 25 -- Nearly nine million Ivorians are eligible to vote on Saturday to elect their new president among five candidates, including incumbent head of state Alassane Ouattara, who is seeking a fourth term in office. A key issue is voter turnout.

Voters are choosing between incumbent Alassane Ouattara,Jean-Louis Billon, Simone Ehivet, former wife of Laurent Gbagbo,Ahoua Don Mello and Henriette Lagou.

The two main opposition leaders, Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam, are absent from the race after their candidacies were rejected.

Their exclusion has fuelled tensions across the country. A protest called by the Front commun - a platform bringing together the Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire (PDCI) and the African Peoples' Party-...