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Historic poll opens in Mauritania | Historic poll opens in Mauritania |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Mauritanians have begun voting in the first election since a military coup in the north African country in 2005. | Mauritanians have begun voting in the first election since a military coup in the north African country in 2005. |
Reports from the capital Nouakchott say turnout so far has been high and that long queues of voters formed waiting for the polling stations to open. | |
Nearly one million people 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. The first provisional results are expected late on Monday. | |
This poll will be followed by elections for the senate in January and for the president two months later. | |
Voting along ethnic lines | |
The BBC's North Africa correspondent Richard Hamilton says there seems to be a thirst for democracy. | |
In June, turnout was also high in a referendum on a new constitution which, amongst other things, put a two-term limit on any future president. | |
Observers from the European Union are monitoring the elections and so far no problems have been reported. | |
At least 28 political parties are competing to be represented in the 95-member lower house of parliament, the National Assembly - although only five parties are considered to be front-runners. | |
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, 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, he adds. | |
Mauritania is one of the few Arabic countries to have recognised Israel and has also co-operated in the US "war against terror". | Mauritania is one of the few Arabic countries to have recognised Israel and has also co-operated in the US "war against terror". |