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Mauritania gears up for elections Mauritanians vote for president
(about 8 hours later)
Mauritania is gearing up for its first presidential election since a military coup in August 2008 on Saturday. Voting is under way in Mauritania's first presidential election since a military coup in August 2008.
The man who led that coup, Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz, is seen as the front-runner, along with veteran opposition leader Ahmed Ould Daddah. The man who led the coup, Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz, is seen as the front-runner, along with veteran opposition leader Ahmed Ould Daddah.
Mauritanian journalist Hamdi el-Hacen says the elections have been the most hotly contested in some time. However, shortly before voting began police say they exchanged gunfire with suspected Islamic militants.
Hours before voting began, there were reports of shooting between police and armed men in the capital, Nouakchott. They say they killed one and wounded another who was wearing explosives around his body.
Police sources said one man was injured in the exchange of fire and was threatening to detonate an explosives belt. The injured man was reported to be surrounded by security forces in the capital, Nouakchott. Police said another man involved in the shooting fled the scene.
The man was reported to be surrounded by security forces. Police said another man involved in the shooting had fled the scene. Polls opened at around 0700GMT with a high turnout in Nouakchott, national media reported.
Voting is due to close at about 1900GMT.
Polling monitored
Election observer Mohamed Hussein told the BBC that voting seemed to be going well.
"We have already visited a dozen polling stations," he said.
"We check that everybody is in place, that all the ballots and stationery is there, that the voting booths are there. Everything is going OK for the moment."
Mauritania has been led by a democratically elected leader for just one year since independence in 1960.Mauritania has been led by a democratically elected leader for just one year since independence in 1960.
The desert nation has experienced several military coups and long periods of oppressive rule.The desert nation has experienced several military coups and long periods of oppressive rule.
The 2007 elections won by President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi in 2007 are widely seen as the country's only free and fair poll but he was toppled just a year later by Gen Abdelaziz.The 2007 elections won by President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi in 2007 are widely seen as the country's only free and fair poll but he was toppled just a year later by Gen Abdelaziz.
Following the coup, it was suspended by the African Union and many donors suspended aid.Following the coup, it was suspended by the African Union and many donors suspended aid.
MAURITANIA Dominated by light-skinned Arabic-speakers (Moors)Slavery still practised, campaigners sayBlack Africans complain of discriminationMostly in the Sahara Desert Q&A: Mauritania electionsMAURITANIA Dominated by light-skinned Arabic-speakers (Moors)Slavery still practised, campaigners sayBlack Africans complain of discriminationMostly in the Sahara Desert Q&A: Mauritania elections
Mr el-Hacen told the BBC's Network Africa programme that the campaigning has been vigorous but tolerant. Mauritanian journalist Hamdi el-Hacen says the elections have been the most hotly contested in some time.
He told the BBC's Network Africa programme that the campaigning has been vigorous but tolerant.
"It was very interesting to see people supporting different candidates standing alongside one another without any hatred, or quarrelling," he said."It was very interesting to see people supporting different candidates standing alongside one another without any hatred, or quarrelling," he said.
Although the country is officially an Islamic republic, Mohamed Jamil Ould Mansour is the first Islamist to stand for the presidency.Although the country is officially an Islamic republic, Mohamed Jamil Ould Mansour is the first Islamist to stand for the presidency.
The largely-desert country presents a cultural contrast, with an Arab-Berber population to the north and black Africans to the south. Many of its people are nomads.The largely-desert country presents a cultural contrast, with an Arab-Berber population to the north and black Africans to the south. Many of its people are nomads.
During their campaigns, the contestants highlighted unemployment, illiteracy, poverty and poor infrastructure as their priorities.During their campaigns, the contestants highlighted unemployment, illiteracy, poverty and poor infrastructure as their priorities.
"The country has been independent for 46 years but it is almost naked of any modern infrastructure," said Mr el-Hacen."The country has been independent for 46 years but it is almost naked of any modern infrastructure," said Mr el-Hacen.
He says citizens are anxious to see how the desperate poverty, which he says affects more than half of the population will be alleviated.He says citizens are anxious to see how the desperate poverty, which he says affects more than half of the population will be alleviated.