Polls open in Mali presidential election

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Malians have started casting votes for a new president, as polls have opened across the country. Twenty-seven candidates have wrapped up their campaigns amid a turbulent 18 months since the overthrow of the last democratically-elected government and Mali being plunged into a bloody battle with extremist insurgents. Security has been ramped up, as the population is weary in its recovery from a rebellion in the north which resulted in a protracted military intervention by France.

Many areas remain at high risk. If this round of voting doesn’t yield a winner, a second round is scheduled for August 11. A few observers have doubts as to Mali’s readiness for the election and transition to recovery. Hundreds of thousands have lost their homes amid the violence – the majority will not be able to vote. Islamist militants in the north also put the election at risk by warning fellow Muslims not to participate and promising to burn polling stations. Fairness is another concern in areas still occupied by Tuareg rebels, like the town of Kidal. French troops remain in the country with Chadian forces as part of a UN mission intended to stabilize the situation.Media agencies