Nairobi, Aug 31 (DPA) Gabon went to the polls Sunday in an election expected to continue the family dynasty of Omar Bongo, who ran the oil-producing nation for over 41 years until his death in June.

Voter turnout was reportedly high in the tiny West African country of 1.5 million, where Bongo's son Ali-Ben, 50, was up against over a dozen candidates.

Ali-Ben has the support of the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party - and by extension the army and police - thus making him firm favourite.

Some 23 candidates were originally registered, but at least five pulled out on Friday to back opposition candidate Andre Mba Obame.

Opposition candidates, who are mainly campaigning on anti-corruption and economic justice platforms, have expressed concern that the elections would not be free and fair.

The size of the electoral roll - at 816,000 voters - has raised fears that the ruling party is planning to fix the election in Ali-Ben Bongo's favour. Voting passed off peacefully, however.

Provisional results are expected Sep 2, but the head of the electoral commission has warned that delays may be likely.

Omar Bongo ruled virtually unchallenged and gained the record of being the world's longest serving leader - no mean feat in a part of the world where coups have long been commonplace.