Chad kicked off its presidential election on Sunday with people in the central African country queuing up to cast their votes.

A total of seven candidates, including incumbent President Idriss Deby Itno, are vying for the presidency for the next six years. One of Deby's most important challengers is former Prime Minister Pahimi Padacket Albert.

During his final campaign rally held Friday in capital N'Djamena, Deby called on his supportors to vote and assured them he would win.

In early March, three opposition candidates announced their withdrawal from the race, including Saleh Kebzabo, heavyweight of the opposition who wants to boycott the election. Kebzabo came second in the 2016 presidential election.

More than 7.3 million people are eligible to vote this time, according to the country's Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI).

The provisional results should be announced in two weeks, the commission said.