MALI: More than 700 polling stations inoperable during election

Officials in Mali say more than 700 polling stations were not able to operate during Sunday’s presidential election because of attacks or threats of violence. Authorities said Monday the counting of ballots is underway, but said no ballots were cast at 716 polling stations – representing just over 3 percent of the country’s total – […]

Officials in Mali say more than 700 polling stations were not able to operate during Sunday’s presidential election because of attacks or threats of violence.

Authorities said Monday the counting of ballots is underway, but said no ballots were cast at 716 polling stations – representing just over 3 percent of the country’s total – because violence forced the stations to stay closed.

The affected polling stations are located in the country’s central and northern regions, areas that have already been troubled by extremism and ethnic unrest.

Reports of violence included election officials beaten up, ballot boxes burned and election supervisors stopped by armed groups from entering polling stations.

Security was a central issue during the campaign in which President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita is seeking a second term against 24 challengers.