Sierra Leoneans vote in election with cost-of-living centre stage

People wait to cast their votes for the national election at a polling station in Freetown, Sierra Leone, June 24, 2023. REUTERS/Cooper Inveen

FREETOWN (Reuters) -Voting was underway in Sierra Leone on Saturday in a national election which the main opposition party hopes will see public frustration with deep economic hardship foil President Julius Maada Bio's re-election bid.

About 3.4 million people are expected to vote in the presidential and legislative ballot after a campaign marred by tensions that led to the cancellation of rallies in the final stages and clashes at an opposition gathering on Wednesday.