20111212
Press TV
People in Ivory Coast have gone to the polls to take part in the West African country's parliamentary elections, more than a year after presidential elections which entered the country into a period of violence and uncertainty.

On Sunday, polls slowly opened in Ivory Coast with the party of former strongman Laurent Gbagbo having boycotted the vote, the Associated Press reported.

The coalition of Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara is expected to win a majority of the 255 seats in the new assembly.

At least five people have been killed in the violence ahead of the elections.

Meanwhile, Gbgabo is awaiting trial in The Hague on charges of crime against humanity.

Gbagbo was extradited to The Hague earlier this month to face charges, including murder and rape committed by his supporters as he attempted to cling to power following the November 2010 presidential elections.

According to the United Nations, at least 3,000 people were killed in Ivory Coast last year and more than 500,000 others were displaced as a result of the power struggle between forces loyal to Gbagbo and Ouattara.

The clashes between the two sides ended after President Alassane Ouattara took power in April.