Lining up hours before dawn, citizens of Sierra Leone went to the polls Wednesday to choose a new president, parliament, and local councilors in one of the most hotly contested elections in the West African nation's history. Jason Patinkin was there and snapped these photos.
Sierra Leone Election
1
A woman shows off her inked finger after casting her ballot in Freetown, Sierra Leone, March 7, 2018. (Photo: Jason Patinkin / VOA)
2
A voter casts his ballot at a polling station in Freetown, Sierra Leone, March 7, 2018. (Photo: Jason Patinkin / VOA)
3
A poll worker explains a ballot for a voter in Freetown, Sierra Leone, March 7, 2018. (Photo: Jason Patinkin / VOA)
4
A voter shows off his inked finger after casting a ballot in Freetown, Sierra Leone, March 7, 2018. (Photo: Jason Patinkin / VOA)