Mali Holds Presidential Election

29.07.2013 [21:54]
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Baku, July 29 (AZERTAC). Vote counting has begun in Mali after voters turned out in large numbers on Sunday for a presidential election after a chaotic 18 months that saw a military coup, an Islamist takeover of the north, and French-led military intervention.

Security was tight and the voting was free of violence, despite threats by Tuareg separatists.

VOA correspondent Anne Look says election officials are reporting a record-high voter turnout and describes the mood in the country as happy.

Candidates for the new president include two former prime ministers -- Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Modibo Sidibe. The two other top candidates are Soumaila Cisse, who ran the West African Monetary Union, and a relative unknown, Dramane Dembele, who is backed by Mali's largest political party, ADEMA.

They are seeking to replace interim President Dioncounda Traore, who was appointed last year. If no candidate wins a majority, the two top-scoring challengers will head to a runoff on August 11.

Mali Holds Presidential Election

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