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Mauritanians vote for president Mauritanians vote for president
(about 11 hours later)
Mauritanians are voting in a run-off presidential poll after an inconclusive first round election two weeks ago. Mauritanians are awaiting the results of the country's first democratic presidential elections since winning independence from France in 1960.
Interior ministry officials put voter turnout at about 60% - slightly down on the first round, held two weeks ago.
The two candidates are former cabinet minister Sidi Ould Sheikh Abdellahi and opposition figure Ahmed Ould Daddah.The two candidates are former cabinet minister Sidi Ould Sheikh Abdellahi and opposition figure Ahmed Ould Daddah.
Both are members of the country's so-called White Moor elite and spent time in prison under the country's military rulers. Both are members of the so-called White Moor elite and spent time in prison under the country's military rulers.
It is the first fully democratic presidential election since Mauritania won independence from France in 1960. Counting is under way, with final results expected later on Monday.
The ballot, in which 1.1 million people are eligible to vote, also marks the final stage of a programme to restore civilian rule following a military coup two years ago. The ballot, in which 1.1 million people were eligible to vote, marks the final stage of a programme to restore civilian rule following a military coup two years ago.
The head of a team of EU election observers in the country, Marie-Anne Isler Beguin, said that so far voting seemed to be going well:
"Nothing has stopped the process. There have been no incidents, no unauthorised people in polling stations," she said.
Slavery issueSlavery issue
Polling stations are due to close at 1900 GMT, with preliminary results expected on Sunday night and a final outcome on Monday. Both candidates pledged tough measures against slavery, which was banned in 1981 but which still persists.
Both candidates have pledged tough measures against slavery, which was banned in 1981 but which still persists in the country. Mauritania is an ethnically diverse mix of Arab and black Africans but historically the country's Black Moors have been slaves to the fairer-skinned ruling elite, the White Moors.
Though Mauritania is an ethnically diverse mix of Arab and black Africans, historically the country's Black Moors been slaves to the fairer-skinned ruling elite, the White Moors. Sheikh Abdellahi pledged "special legislation" criminalising slavery while his rival, Mr Daddah, promised compensation for slaves and penalties for law-breakers.
"As far as slavery is concerned, there will be legislation criminalising it, special legislation," Sheikh Abdellahi said. Sheikh Abdellahi is supported by a coalition of 18 groups previously loyal to the regime of the ousted authoritarian leader, President Ahmed Taya.
While Mr Daddah has promised compensation for slaves and tighter legislation: "We have a coherent programme which includes laws that define and penalise slavery," he said.
Sheikh Abdellahi is supported by a coalition of 18 groups previously loyal to the regime of ousted authoritarian leader President Ahmed Taya.
Mr Taya was deposed by Col Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, whose military council took power in August 2005.
Mr Daddah, an economist, unsuccessfully ran against Mr Taya in 1992 and 2003.Mr Daddah, an economist, unsuccessfully ran against Mr Taya in 1992 and 2003.
Mr Taya was deposed by Colonel Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, whose military council took power in August 2005.
Col Vall barred himself and other members of the junta from running for office.Col Vall barred himself and other members of the junta from running for office.
He said: "We came to power for a specific purpose. We declared we would do specific things. We stayed only so long as it took to accomplish our goals."