West Africa Election Observers Network Warns of Security Threats Ahead of Mali Polls

Mali

August 10, 2018//-As the people of Mali head to the polls on Sunday, August 12, 2018 to elect a president in a run-off election, the West Africa Election Observers Network (WAEON) has taken cognizance of increasing security concerns within the country.

The Network is concerned with media reports of widespread violence that occurred during the first round and strongly condemns the attacks by jihadists and armed groups which forced 3 percent of all polling stations to be shut down and about 20 percent to be affected by violence mostly in the Northern and Central regions of the country.

This contain in a statement issued by the Acting Chairman of WAEON and National Coordinator, National Election Watch (NEW) – Sierra Leone, James Lahai today.

While WAEON commended the authorities and people of Mali for following due constitutional processes in resolving allegations of ballot box stuffing, violations of electoral laws and other irregularities filed by opposition leader Soumaila Cisse and other contenders in the aftermath of the first round of election on July 29, 2018.

The Network urged the government and state agencies particularly the security forces to step up security efforts to facilitate a smooth polling processes, while ensuring professional conduct.

The Network believes this would inspire confidence in the electorates. Ahead of the run-off polls, WAEON reiterates its call for the contesting candidates and their supporters to abide by the rules governing the conduct of the elections and promote peace at all times.

The candidates and their respective parties must take recourse in the law for redress should they be aggrieved by the process. The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization (MATD) and the General Electoral Office (DGE) must be independent, neutral, transparent and professional in their conduct.

The statement also reminded the good people of Mali to work towards a smooth and credible elections.

Instructively,  WAEON is an independent, non-partisan and non-religious organization of citizen observer groups from 13 West African Countries that aims at strengthening and supporting Citizens’ Election Observation Groups (CEOGs) in the sub-region.

It was formed in 2010, and has its secretariat based at the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) in Accra, Ghana.

African Eye Report

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