2013 Malian Presidential Election Sunday July 28,2013

Presidential elections is scheduled on Sunday July 28,2013, with a second round run-off planned for 11 August if required

The people of Mali go to the polls on July 28,2013 to vote in a presidential election considered crucial for the return to constitutional rule and stability in the West African nation.

The poll is intended to end months of political crisis that started when soldiers overthrew President Amadou Toumani Toure in March 2012, allowing separatist rebels and Islamist militants to seize the north of the country.

France sent its troops in January 2013 to drive out the militants from the northern cities of Timbuktu, Kidal and Gao. A UN peacekeeping mission took over from the French and African troops on 1 July, and will support the army in securing the poll.

Presidential Candidates

Candidates must be Malian citizens aged at least 35 years. They must have the backing of 10 legislators or five local councillors from each of the country's nine administrative regions.

President Traore, who took over in April 2012 after the then military junta accepted a transition to civilian rule, is not allowed to stand

Twenty-eight candidates were cleared to contest. They are the finalists who made it after 36 hopefuls presented their papers. However one contestant later withdrew, saying the electoral process was flawed

The front runners are -
3 former prime ministers - Cheick Modibo Diarra, Modibo Sidibe and Ibrahim Boubacar Keita
ex-Finance Minister Soumaila Cisse

Haider Aichata Cisse,a female candidate
according to the Malian media. 


There are an estimated 6.8 million voters out of a total population of 15 million, who mostly live in rural areas.
There will be 25,000 polling stations that will open between 08:00-18:00 local time.
The Register is Biometric and Voters will use a National Identification Number Card to cast their ballots. The government started handing out these voter cards at the end of June, ahead of the official campaigning period between 7 and 26 July.
Hundreds of local and foreign observers have been accredited, including 90 observers from the European Union and dozens of others from the African Union and the UN.

 Presidential Election Run-Off
Mali's presidential election will go to a second round on August 11, 2013 with no candidate securing a majority in the landmark poll, the government has said.

Former PM Ibrahim Boubacar Keita leads with 39.2% ahead of main rival Soumaila Cisse with 19.4 %

Ibrahim Boubacar Keita Wins Presidential Election

Ibrahim Boubacar Keita won Mali’s presidency after his opponent conceded defeat before official results were announced

 

Soumalia Cisse’s concession allows Mali to avoid a protracted election fight and to move ahead with establishing a democratically elected government

 

Ibrahim Boubacar Keita sworn in Malian President

 

Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has been sworn in as Mali's new president at the Supreme Court in the capital, Bamako on Wednesday Sep 4,2013
Ibrahim Boubacar Keita took the oath of office before members of the Supreme Court, during a swearing-in ceremony held at the Bamako International Conference Center (CICB)

 

Before he took his oath of office, transitional leader Dioncounda Traore handed over power at a ceremony inside the presidential palace.





The swearing-in ceremony comes two weeks after the announcement of the final results of the second round of the presidential elections held on Aug. 11, by the Constitutional Court, in conformity with article 37 of Mali's Constitution.

Another swearing-in ceremony will take place on Sept. 19 at the biggest stadium in Bamako. During the event, 25 presidents from the sub-region will take part, including French President Francois Hollande and South Africa's Jacob Zuma.