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One million voters were registered in the election, which was seen as an important test for the stability of the small West African country.
Elections are closed in Gambia after citizens cast their ballots for the presidential election in a race that is seen as a test of democracy.
It was the first democratic country in West Africa election since former President Yahya Jammeh was elected to office in 2016.
Jammeh, who was defeated by the opposition party that aided the current president, Adama Barrow, fled Equatorial Guinea in 2017 after refusing to accept defeat.
The Gambia uses a special voting system – stones thrown at the drum of everyone’s vote – to prevent polling votes in a country where most people are illiterate.
Barrow, a 56-year-old former security guard and producer, cast his ballot in Banjul with his two wives.
“I am delighted to see so many Gambian voters,” he said later, adding that he was confident of victory.
Results are expected Sunday under the simplified schedule, but short-term figures will begin to decline by the end of Saturday.
Barrow is facing five of his rivals including his former political adviser, Ousainou Darboe, 73, who appears to be his main rival.
There were no reports of vote-rigging and Darboe called on his supporters in a country that relies on tourism to remain silent.
“Remember, we are in a time of tourism, a little chaos in this country will drive all the tourists away,” he said.
The smallest country in Africa
About one million of the 2.5 million people are registered in Gambia, the smallest country in Africa.
Before the vote was opened, officials carried ballot boxes outside to indicate that voters were not present.
Other nominees are Essa Mbye Faal, a former member of the Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission, which covered Jammeh’s tyranny, and Ms. Kandeh, who was third in 2016 and backed by Jammeh.
As the campaign ended on Thursday, hundreds of happy Barrow supporters gathered in the city of Banjul for the final summit, hoping for some time for Barrow to bring peace as Gambia seeks to put Jammeh’s 22-year rule behind them.
Opponents, however, say Barrow has broken his promises, citing his backing on his promise of a three-year victory in 2016. Barrow has argued that the country’s constitution requires him to serve a full five years.
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