Mali’s on Monday said it would postpone presidential elections planned for February 2024, citing “technical reasons.”
The elections were meant to be held on February 4, 2024, with a second round two weeks later. No new date was provided.
Cited reasons for the delay included new rules from the constitution that was in June and a review of the electoral roll.
is also locked in a dispute with French company Idemia that operates the country’s census database.
“The new dates for the presidential election will be communicated later,” said government spokesperson .
Elections repeatedly delayed
Mali witnessed two military coups in August 2020 and May 2021.
Since then, the transition back to democracy has been repeatedly delayed. A constitutional referendum planned for February 2023 was not held until June, while local elections planned for June have still not taken place.
Authorities have also refused organize legislative elections before the postponed presidential election.
Other elections will be held on a schedule “established by the new authorities, under the directives of the new president,” Maiga said.
Mali’s military leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, has requested that the from the country by the end of the year.
Mali has turned away from its former colonizer, France, in the and has instead turned politically and militarily .
That includes enlisting mercenaries from the Wagner Group, who have been linked to in the country.
zc/wmr (AFP, Reuters, dpa)
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