Mauritania's presidential election campaign concludes

By Muhammad Al-Bakai

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (AA) - The Mauritanian presidential election campaign concluded on Thursday night, ushering in a period of electoral silence starting at dawn on Friday.

According to an Anadolu correspondent, the seven candidates for tomorrow's elections organized closing rallies for their campaigns in the capital Nouakchott and other cities.

Addressing thousands of supporters in the capital Nouakchott, outgoing President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, who seeks a second presidential term, emphasized that security would be his primary focus if reelected.

During the closing rally of his campaign, he said: “Our army is fully capable of ensuring your security and safeguarding our national territory."

He highlighted that Mauritanians, whether in urban or rural areas, are deeply concerned about security, which is influenced by their awareness of the country's regional situation, particularly in the turbulent Sahel region of Africa.

Meanwhile, candidate of the National Rally for Reform and Development Party and opposition leader Hamadi Sidi Mokhtar cautioned against any potential election rigging.

During the closing rally of his campaign in Nouakchott, Mokhtar urged supporters of his party to safeguard their votes and "thwart any attempt at electoral fraud."

He also criticized the alleged harassment that the opposition endured during the election campaign.

Human rights activist and opposition candidate Biram Dah Abeid pledged to a crowd of supporters in the northern Nouadhibou city that if elected, he would prioritize fighting corruption and creating job opportunities for young people.

Also vying in the presidential elections are opposition parliamentarian El-Aid Ould Mohamedan, opposition physician Outouma Soumare, politician Mamadou Boukari, and finance inspector Mohamed Lamine Mourteji El Wafi.

On Saturday morning, approximately 1.9 million Mauritanian voters are casting their ballots to elect a new president or reelect the current president, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani. If a second round is necessary, it will be held on July 13.

* Writing by Ikram Kouachi