The people of Mauritania are heading to the polls again, following the legislative and municipal elections which took place in September last year.
In a statement released by the country’s electoral commission, Mauritania will hold its presidential election on the 22nd of June 2019, where the outgoing president’s successor will be determined. If there is no clear winner from the first round of elections, a runoff election will be held on the 6th of July, according to a presidential decree.
The Commission also announced that the deadline for the submission of bids by parties and candidates interested in running for the highest seat in the country is now on the 8th of May.
Summary of Legislative Elections: A record 98 parties, were involved in the first and second rounds of the legislative and municipal polls, which took place on September 3 and 15, respectively, with over 1.4 million voters casting their votes.
The ruling Union for the Republic party, of which President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz is a member, won a majority of the seats with 67 of the 157 National Assembly seats, 4 of the 13 regional councils and 108 of the country’s 219 municipalities.
At the end of the elections, the United Nations commended the country for organizing what it described as a peaceful election process.
Build Up to the Elections: Before the election date was announced, in February, a coalition of opposition parties threatened to boycott the elections, asking for the Electoral Commission to be dissolved.
A letter was also forwarded in the same month, asking the government to ensure that a sane and safe political environment is provided ahead of the polls, stating that the current hostile clime was not acceptable moving forward. The oppositions also declared their intention to participate in the presidential election.
Potential Candidates: Hoping to take over from Abdel Aziz in the coming months are former Minister of Defense, Mohamed Ould Cheikh Mohammed Ahmed, a close ally of the current president; anti-slavery activist Biram Ould Dah Ould Abeid; long-standing opposition figure, Mohamed Ould Mouloud; and former head of the 2005-2007 transitional government, Sidi Mohammed Ould Boubacar.
Other candidates are expected to express their interest, following the recent announcement.
