The polling stations opened on Saturday morning for the Mauritanian presidential elections. Approximately 2 million Mauritanian voters are participating to elect a new president who will face both internal and external challenges that Mauritania is currently encountering, especially with the recent increased interest in the country. This marks the eighth presidential election since the adoption of multiparty democracy in 1991.
Seven candidates are competing for the voters’ favor, including the incumbent President Mohamed Cheikh Ould Ghazouani, who is seeking a second term. Other candidates include Hamadi Ould Sidi Mokhtar, the leader of the National Rally for Reform and Development “Tawassoul,” university professor Othama Soumare, leader of the Alliance for Justice and Democracy Mamadou Bokari, parliamentarian El Eid Ould Mohamed Ould Mbarek, leader of the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement Biram Dah Abeid, and candidate Mohamed El Amin El Murtaja Wafi.
There is uncertainty about the voter turnout for this election, as the turnout for the 2019 presidential elections was 62.6%. The elections are taking place amid heightened security measures, especially after instances of unrest and chaos during the election campaign. Police forces have been deployed in the streets and public places, while the Ministry of Interior has warned against any attempts to compromise security.
The candidate from the ruling majority and the current president, Ould Ghazouani, is considered the frontrunner in these elections. Observers predict that the results will be decisive in his favor in the first round, avoiding a second round, despite the popularity of some of his opponents, particularly opposition leader Hamadi Ould Sidi Mokhtar from the Islamic-oriented “Tawassoul” party, and parliamentarian Biram Dah Abeid, who finished second in the 2019 elections.
According to the Mauritanian Electoral Commission, if none of the candidates secures the required majority in the first round, a second round will be held on July 13.
Mauritania has experienced a competitive electoral campaign over the past two weeks, marked by rallies and promotional activities conducted by the candidates and their supporters. The candidates toured various regions of Mauritania, making numerous electoral promises in hopes of winning over and convincing the voters with their electoral programs.
The government stated that it has taken all necessary measures and mobilized the required institutional and logistical means “to ensure that the elections are conducted in the best possible conditions.”
