São Tomé and Príncipe heads to polls in tense presidential election

Incumbent Carlos Vila Nova hopes to defeat his former party and secure second term as independent

Voters in Sao Tome and Principe go to the polls for a presidential election on Sunday as one of Africa's least populous countries seeks to burnish its democratic credentials.

According to the National Election Commission, about 142,000 people are registered to vote in the tiny African state's elections, approximately 15% of whom live in the diaspora.