Seven candidates are vying to replace President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, who is stepping down after serving two terms.

The previous election in 2002, held soon after the decade-long war ended, was organised by the United Nations.

This time an electoral commission is organising the polls. Heavy rain has hampered deliveries of voting material.

Long queues formed at various polling stations in the capital after rain cleared away overnight.

Ruling party candidate Solomon Berewa was unable to vote during the morning after being obstructed by people impatient to cast their ballots, AFP news agency reported. He said he would return in the afternoon.