Highlights: Mauritanians were called to the polls on Saturday (May 13th) Nearly 1.8 million citizens were called upon to choose their deputies, mayors and regional councillors. The election took place in a peaceful climate, with a strong mobilization. But the various political parties are already denouncing irregularities in the electoral process. The first trends should fall this Sunday, the electoral code indicates that the results must be announced within 48 hours of the end of the election. The triple election should serve as a test for President Mohamed Ould Cheikh el-Ghazouani.

Elections in Mauritania: a peaceful election, but the political class points to dysfunctions

Voters wait to vote at a polling station in Nouakchott on May 13. AFP - MED LEMINE RAJEL

Text by: RFI Follow

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Mauritanians were called to the polls on Saturday (May 13th). Nearly 1.8 million citizens were called upon to choose their deputies, mayors and regional councillors. The election took place in a peaceful climate, with a strong mobilization. But the various political parties are already denouncing irregularities.

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With our special envoy in Nouakchott, Sidy Yansané

In the run-up to next year's presidential election, this triple election should serve as a test for President Mohamed Ould Cheikh el-Ghazouani's ruling El Insaf party and allow it to measure its popularity at the ballot box, facing its two main challengers: the Islamist Tawassoul party and the Sawab party supported by anti-slavery activist Biram Dah Abeid.

Voters mobilized as soon as polling stations opened at 7 a.m. on Saturday morning. Many young people and many women voters made the trip. This enthusiasm has been particularly aroused by the progressive involvement of women in the political game over the past ten years and the establishment this year of a national list dedicated to candidates under 35, automatically granting eleven seats to young people.

Political parties point to election failures

But the election met with many failures. It was the El Insaf party that launched the first salvo of criticism concerning these failures in the electoral process. During a press briefing at the end of the day, the presidential party denounced many shortcomings on the part of the CENI, such as polling stations moved at the last moment from their place of origin. This is enough to confuse registered voters.

Among the critics, missing ballot papers for the general election and party representatives who were refused entry to the polling stations to observe the voting process. All these problems forced the CENI to keep some offices active until late in the evening, well after they were officially scheduled to close for 19 p.m.

On the opposition side, the same grievances are being made. The Tawassoul party, the country's leading opponent, and the RAG-Sawab coalition insist on the many polling stations opened several hours late, so much so that many voters were not able to vote until late in the evening.

The only difference in this string of criticisms is that the opponents accuse the government of having organized these failures to ensure victory. This is denied by the presidential party. The first trends should fall this Sunday, the electoral code indicates that the results must be announced within 48 hours.

► Read also: Mauritania: a triple test election for power one year before the presidential election

Elections in Mauritania: a peaceful election, but the political class points to dysfunctions

Elections in Mauritania: a peaceful election, but the political class points to dysfunctions

Political parties point to election failures

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