ballot box

Bilie-by-Nze said he was particularly concerned by claims that in some places unmarked ballot papers were not kept in a secure location, and that he feared they could be used to stuff ballot boxes.

"When you steal from the people, expect the people to rise up. At the ballot box and in the streets," he shouted.

Meanwhile, other presidential efforts, on foreign policy and immigration, and at the ballot box - have faced notable setbacks in recent days.

“Its initial dip in revenue owes more to developers and the real estate lobby hoping to overturn it in court or at the ballot box — and losing.”

The elections on 1 May are the party's first major test at the ballot box since winning power in last July's landslide victory.