A total of 24 candidates apply for the highest position of the state in West African Mali
The greatest odds are given to former incumbent President Boubacar Keïta. However, many of its competitors are accusing it of a total failure to stabilize the country.
However, his main challenger, opposition leader Soumaïla Cissé, could, according to experts, get enough votes to request a second round.
West African state of crisis Mali chooses a new president this Sunday. The greatest odds are attributed to outgoing Head of State Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who is seeking a second term.
However, his main opponent, opposition leader Soumaïla Cissé, could, according to experts, get enough votes to request a second round.
The Election
Eight million of the 18 million Malians have the right to vote. Polling stations should be open from 10:00 to 20:00. The first count results are expected 48 hours after the closing of the polls, an official result should be available on August 3rd. If no candidate receives the required majority, a second round is scheduled for August 12th.
In the days leading up to the elections, government opposition blamed the government for falsifying electoral lists containing non-existent voters and polling stations. enumerates what opens the door to electoral fraud. The government rejected the allegations, but acknowledged computer problems in the electoral register.
During the election campaign, Keïta admitted that the country had not yet calmed down. He speaks of "remnants of violence and terrorism" in the country
Politicians avoid Saharan cities
Mali often acts as a country with two parts: the great majority of the population and politicians live in the capital Bamako and in the more fertile regions of the south, the problems of the Sahel are far from them. Rarely do politicians dare to go to the cities of the northern Sahara, like Timbuktu or Kidal. In the bustling district of Bamako, however, only UN vehicles and the huge security measures in front of government buildings and hotels are reminiscent of the conflict in the north