Senegal began voting Sunday in a contentious election in which President Abdoulaye Wade is seeking a third term.

Senegal began voting Sunday in a contentious election in which President Abdoulaye Wade is seeking a third term, testing the West African nation's credentials as one of Africa's most stable countries.

Hundreds of people lined up in polling stations around the country as voting began at 08:00 GMT in the poll pitting the 85-year-old Wade against 13 opposition candidates in a wide-open race.

Some 5.3 million voters have registered to cast their ballots in the election which has been marred by weeks of deadly protests over Wade's candidacy, prompting international calls for calm.