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| Historic poll opens in Mauritania | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Mauritanians have begun voting in the first election since a military coup in the north African country in 2005. | |
| Nearly one million voters, in what is one of the world's poorest nations, are eligible to vote in the national parliament and municipal council polls. | Nearly one million voters, in what is one of the world's poorest nations, are eligible to vote in the national parliament and municipal council polls. |
| The bloodless coup ended over 20 years of authoritarian rule under former President Maaouiya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya. | The bloodless coup ended over 20 years of authoritarian rule under former President Maaouiya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya. |
| The military rulers promised an early return to civilian government. Senate and presidential polls are due in 2007. | The military rulers promised an early return to civilian government. Senate and presidential polls are due in 2007. |
| At least 28 political parties are competing to be represented in the 95-member lower house of parliament, the National Assembly. | At least 28 political parties are competing to be represented in the 95-member lower house of parliament, the National Assembly. |
| But Islamist parties and movements, considered to be among the most popular in the country, have been banned. | But Islamist parties and movements, considered to be among the most popular in the country, have been banned. |
| This has resulted in many Islamist candidates standing as independents. | This has resulted in many Islamist candidates standing as independents. |
| Because Mauritania is home to a number of different racial groups from Arabs and Burbas to black sub-Saharan tribes, it is predicted that people may vote along ethnic lines, the BBC's North Africa correspondent Richard Hamilton says. | Because Mauritania is home to a number of different racial groups from Arabs and Burbas to black sub-Saharan tribes, it is predicted that people may vote along ethnic lines, the BBC's North Africa correspondent Richard Hamilton says. |
| The largely desert country started pumping oil in February this year, so how that could help development is one of the biggest issues facing voters, our correspondent says. | The largely desert country started pumping oil in February this year, so how that could help development is one of the biggest issues facing voters, our correspondent says. |
| Mauritania is one of the few Arabic countries to have recognised Israel and has also co-operated in the US "war against terror". |