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| Mauritania stages historic poll | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Mauritanians have begun voting in the North African country's first election since last year's bloodless coup ended 20 years of authoritian rule. | |
| Reports from the capital Nouakchott say turnout has been high and that long queues formed as voters waited for the polling stations to open. | |
| Nearly one million people are eligible to vote in the national parliament and municipal council polls. | Nearly one million people are eligible to vote in the national parliament and municipal council polls. |
| The coup ended two decades of rule by 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. | 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. | This poll will be followed by elections for the senate in January and for the president two months later. |
| Voting along ethnic lines | Voting along ethnic lines |
| The BBC's North Africa correspondent Richard Hamilton says there seems to be a thirst for democracy. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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". |