Mauritanians vote to elect new parliament

By Mohamed El Bekay

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (AA) - Mauritanian voters headed to polling stations on Saturday to elect a new parliament.

Voters also cast ballots to elect members of regional and local councils in the North African country.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. local time (0700GMT) and will close at 7 p.m. (1900GMT).

According to the electoral commission, around 1.7 million voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the elections.

Around 559 candidates are vying for 167 parliamentary seats in Saturday’s vote.

Some 145 electoral lists are also competing to win seats in Mauritania’s 13 regional councils and 1,378 lists for seats in 238 local councils.

* Writing by Ikram Kouachi.