Mauritania: Voters Cast Their Ballots in Presidential Elections

Mauritanian voters are casting their votes today, Saturday, in the first round of the presidential elections, contested by seven candidates, including the outgoing president, Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani. The number of registered voters is around two million, with women representing more than half of that number. No incidents affecting public security were reported during the campaign leading up to this election. The candidates come from diverse social and regional backgrounds, reflecting the variety of Mauritania's society. Observers say that "Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani is the frontrunner, given the stability that Mauritania has experienced during his outgoing presidency."