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BAMAKO. ― Mali’s Territorial Administration Minister Moussa Sinko Coulibaly has banned the use of mobile phones in polling stations during the second round of the presidential election scheduled for August 11. In a statement released on Wednesday, Coulibaly said some voters used their phones to take pictures of their votes during the first round on July 28.
“To guarantee the secrecy of the vote as provided by the electoral law, the use of mobile phones in the polling stations will not be allowed,” he said.
The minister further announced that group transportation of voters will not be allowed, just like the gathering of voters which will not be tolerated.
In Mali, it is common for political parties and candidates to provide means of transport for their supporters as they go to the polling stations.
Coulibaly warned that “contravention of those provisions will expose candidates and parties to punishment in accordance with the Malian law.”
The second round of Mali’s presidential election will be contested by Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who won the first round with 39,79 percent, and Soumaila Cisse, who came second with 19.70 percent. ― Xinhua.
Online Reporter