Polls close in Mauritania, with the incumbent ally of the West favored to win
Polls have closed in the presidential election in Mauritania
NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania — Polls closed in Mauritania's presidential election on Saturday, with the incumbent Mohamed Ould Ghazouani widely expected to win after positioning Mauritania as a strategic ally of the West in a region swept by coups and violence.
Ghazouni, who is seeking reelection on the pledge of providing security and economic growth, is a former army chief and the current president of the African Union. He came to power in 2019 following the first democratic transition in the country’s history, and on Saturday promised to respect the results of the vote.
“The last word belongs to the Mauritanian voters," Ghazouni said after voting in Ksar, the suburb of the capital. “I commit myself to respecting their choice.”
Saturday’s vote unfolded peacefully, according to observers. The turnout was 40% out of 2 million eligible voters, and partial results were expected on Sunday.
“Nothing has been detected so far and the CENI has not received any complaints,” said Taghioullah Ledhem, the spokesman for CENI, the country’s independent electoral commission. But some opposition candidates held a different view.
“We noted irregularities such as voting without identity cards, voting by proxy and the expulsion of representatives of opposition candidates,” said Outoma Soumare, one of Ghazoumi’s opponents.
Although his opponents accused him of corruption and mismanagement, he remains popular among Mauritanians who see him as a beacon of stability. The vote is taking place in a particularly tense regional climate, with Mauritania’s neighboring countries shaken by military coups and jihadi violence.
“We must not let ourselves be fooled by the slogans of the candidates
Read more on abcnews.go.com
