Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


                    Mali Election Results Expected Thursday

   Election officials in Mali are expected to release provisional results
   Thursday from the country`s presidential election.
   The vote Sunday was seen as a first step toward Mali`s recovery after
   18 months of unrest that included a military coup and Islamists taking
   over the country`s north.
   The results had been expected Wednesday, but officials said they needed
   more time to verify vote counts sent in by individual polling stations
   nationwide.
   A partial count earlier this week showed former prime minister Ibrahim
   Boubacar Keita with a comfortable lead. Territorial administration
   minister Colonel Moussa Sinko Coulibaly said if the vote margin
   remained the same, there would be no need for a runoff vote.
   Other candidates rejected that conclusion. Leaders for rival Soumaila
   Cisse`s party said Wednesday they expect a second round.
   Sunday`s election was peaceful and had a relatively high voter turnout,
   with some areas reporting it at more than 50 percent.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/mali-election-results-expected-thursd
   ay/1714289.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/mali-election-results-expected-thursday/1714289.html