The Malian military government has said that the presidential election slated for February 2024, which was intended to restore civilian rule to Mali has been postponed.
Government spokesperson Abdoulaye Maiga told reporters on Monday that the two voting rounds that were previously scheduled for February 4 and 18 “will be slightly postponed” for technical concerns.
These reasons, according to him, include concerns related to the adoption of a new constitution this year and a review of the election lists.
He also brought up a disagreement with the French firm Idemia, which the government said was associated with the census.
Maiga said, “The new dates for the presidential election will be communicated later.”
When the military administration was considering holding onto power for up to five years in January 2022, sanctions were applied by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Following pressure from ECOWAS, Mali’s military commanders agreed to conduct the elections in February, which made the regional group decide to end its trade and financial sanctions against Mali as a result in July of last year.
Malians voted in a referendum on June 18 of this year, which was also delayed by a few months, to adopt a new constitution, which opponents claimed gives the head of state broad authority. However, the administration promised to open the path for elections and a restoration to civilian governance.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
Follow us on:
