Polls have closed in Rwanda’s presidential and parliamentary elections, with counting underway.

President Paul Kagame is expected to secure another five-year term, continuing his three-decade leadership amid a backdrop of restricted competition, as courts banned prominent critics.

Over nine million voters participated in the election, which saw polling stations open from 7 AM to 3 PM local time.

Kagame is projected to replicate his 2017 success, where he received nearly 99 percent of the vote, Al-Jazeera has reported.

Voters expressed satisfaction with the smooth process, with many supporting Kagame for his contributions to national unity.

Written by B.C. Begley