This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6438667.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Mauritania votes in landmark poll Mauritania votes in landmark poll
(30 minutes later)
Mauritanians are voting in the first presidential elections since a military coup two years ago. Mauritanians are voting for a new president in what is being seen as the country's first democratic election since independence from France in 1960.
With no clear favourite among the 19 candidates, including former ministers, a run-off looks likely. It marks a final stage of transition to civilian rule after a military coup in 2005. Power has never changed hands at the ballot box in Mauritania before.
Mauritania is home to a number of different racial groups and many people are likely to vote along ethnic lines. There is no clear favourite among the 19 contenders. They do not include the coup leader who is standing down.
The army leader, who is stepping down, says for the first time Mauritanians will elect "in a free and transparent manner, without state interference". He said the poll will mark the moment Mauritanians "come of age".
Colonel Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, whose military council took power in a coup in August 2005, said that the polls will mark the moment when Mauritanians "come of age". Keeping the military out of power is seen as a key issue for a country which has seen numerous coups and attempted coups since independence.
Before the most recent coup, Mauritania spent 21 years under the iron grip of former President Ahmed Taya and elections in those days were regarded as a sham, reports the BBC's Richard Hamilton from the capital, Nouakchott.
They all make promises and then do nothing. I don't know who to trust, black or white. Only God knows. Mauritanian woman
Colonel Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, whose military council took power in August 2005, said for the first time Mauritanians will vote "in a free and transparent manner, without state interference".
"The campaign went by in absolute calm and without the slightest of incidents," he said in a pre-election interview."The campaign went by in absolute calm and without the slightest of incidents," he said in a pre-election interview.
Keeping the military out of power is seen as a key issue for a country which has seen a number of coups since independence. Mauritania is home to a number of different racial groups and many people are likely to vote along ethnic lines.
Before the coup, Mauritania spent 21 years under the iron grip of former President Ahmed Taya and elections in those days were regarded as a sham, reports the BBC's Richard Hamilton from the capital, Nouakchott. A run-off second round of voting looks likely as there is no clear favourite. Candidates include former ministers but no members of the outgoing military government.
Among the candidates, three are tipped to do well:
  • Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdellahi - a former minister and economist
  • Ahmed Ould Daddah - half-brother of the country's first post-independence leader
  • Zeine Ould Zeidane - former central bank governor.
 Three candidates are tipped to do well:
  • Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdellahi - a former minister and economist
  • Ahmed Ould Daddah - half-brother of the country's first post-independence leader
  • Zeine Ould Zeidane - former central bank governor.
Our correspondent says there is a sense of excitement in Nouakchott as no-one knows who will become the next president.
And some voters had still not decided who to support.
"They all make promises and then do nothing. I don't know who to trust, black or white. Only God knows," one woman told Reuters news agency.
UnityUnity
Another key issue for the nation is how to unite an ethnically diverse population, which includes Arabs, Berbers and sub-Saharan Africans, our reporter says.Another key issue for the nation is how to unite an ethnically diverse population, which includes Arabs, Berbers and sub-Saharan Africans, our reporter says.
PRESIDENTIAL POLLS 19 candidates 2,400 polling stations1.1m voters300 observersPolls open: 0700 - 1900 Democratic dawnPRESIDENTIAL POLLS 19 candidates 2,400 polling stations1.1m voters300 observersPolls open: 0700 - 1900 Democratic dawn
While many presidential hopefuls come from the ruling Arab elite, one candidate represents descendants of slaves.While many presidential hopefuls come from the ruling Arab elite, one candidate represents descendants of slaves.
Despite a ban on slavery in 1980, human rights groups say the phenomenon still exists in the country.Despite a ban on slavery in 1980, human rights groups say the phenomenon still exists in the country.
But many are reluctant to openly discuss these issues.But many are reluctant to openly discuss these issues.
"I don't consider we have a problem of national unity, these are social problems that exist everywhere," said Colonel Vall. Other major campaign issues have been how to manage the country's new oil reserves and the Islamic republic's decision to recognise Israel"I don't consider we have a problem of national unity, these are social problems that exist everywhere," said Colonel Vall. Other major campaign issues have been how to manage the country's new oil reserves and the Islamic republic's decision to recognise Israel
In February last year, Mauritania started pumping millions of barrels of oil from offshore reserves, though people have still to see any benefits.In February last year, Mauritania started pumping millions of barrels of oil from offshore reserves, though people have still to see any benefits.
In 1999, Mauritania hit the headlines when it became one of only three Arab nations to recognise Israel.In 1999, Mauritania hit the headlines when it became one of only three Arab nations to recognise Israel.
That position was the result of an increasingly close relationship with the United States, which sees the region around Mauritania as a possible breeding-ground for Islamic extremists. That is why the US will be watching the poll closely.That position was the result of an increasingly close relationship with the United States, which sees the region around Mauritania as a possible breeding-ground for Islamic extremists. That is why the US will be watching the poll closely.