Mauritanians Vote In Presidential Election
The
Mauritanian government is expecting to gain
legitimacy as people file out to vote on Saturday
for a new President.
Since a military junta seized power last August from
the first freely elected President, Sidi Mohammed
Ould Cheik Abdallah in a bloodless coup, the
international community has been mounting pressure
on the military to organise a free and fair
election.
Three presidential candidates are contesting in the
polls. They are the incumbent military leader
General Mohammed Ould Abdel Aziz, Ely Ould Mohammed
Vall and a veteran opposition, Ahmed Ould Daddah.
A West African diplomat was quoted as saying a
freely contested election in Mauritania is crucial
to the success of good governance and integrity of
the country.
NP/Qasim/Yinka