Mali holds general elections despite COVID-19 fears

KIGALI, Rwanda

Voters in Mali went to the polls Sunday to elect parliamentary representatives despite concerns about security and coronavirus pandemic.

Mali has reported 18 cases of COVID-19 so far and the first death from the virus was reported Saturday.

Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in a televised address on Wednesday night said the elections would be conducted with due respect to preventive measures against the coronavirus spread.

Government this week announced several measures to contain the virus, including night curfew since Thursday.

Civil society organizations had demanded for a postponement of the election.

But President Keita noted the elections

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