Mauritanian Court Confirm Ruling Party Victory

The Constitutional Council in Mauritania has upheld the election of ruling party candidate Mohamed Ould Ghazouani following a challenge by the opposition.

Ghazouani was declared the winner with 52 per cent of the votes in last month’s election. While the opposition alleged voting irregularities, citing tallies of over 100 per cent at some polling stations, the Constitutional Council determined that there was “insufficient proof” to back up their claims.

Ghazouani will take office on August 2, taking over from President Mohammed Ould Abdel Aziz. Abdel Aziz came to power in a coup in 2008 but has agreed to step down in accordance with constitutional term limits. The election was the country’s first democratic transfer of power since independence in 1960.