In Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, and the leader of the opposition Soumaïla Cisse are on Sunday incumbent in the runoff election for President. But the opposition Alliance is now beaten.
In the Quartier du Fleuve in the centre Bamakos blaring constantly the same song from the speakers. A Name is always: Aliou Diallo, it is said in the Text, is the best choice for Mali, and could bring the country forward. The piece dates from the time of the Diallo and the other members of the opposition still hoped for a change of power and the end of the government of Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta (IBK). However, days before the runoff is lost all hope.
Diallo, who received 8 percent of the votes, and thus the third place, on Thursday, the first opposition candidate, makes on the party site of the Democratic Alliance for peace (ADP-Maliba), without the defeat directly. After almost one hour delay, he steps in front of about a hundred supporters. To mobilize rather than potential voters for the second round, on Sunday (12.08.18) leader of the opposition, Soumaïla Cissé, the incumbent is a challenge, thanks Diallo in detail at his supporters and says: “We must also find the strength, the parliamentary elections in November, to prepare. We have to succeed, to get the majority, so that we can control the President, of the 4. September is introduced in his office.”
Opposition remains to the charges of electoral fraud
Diallo, Cisse and 18 more of the total of 24 candidates have accused the government of electoral fraud – such as through urns, which were prepared slips of paper with the filled-in voting, and deliberately incorrectly distributed voters cards. Their last hope rested on the constitutional court. However, the ruled on Wednesday (08.08.18) that the ballot is taking place despite all the criticism. In addition, it confirmed the provisional results and the big lead Keïtas with 41.7 percent. Diallo, earned as a business man his money in gold mining, remain in his sobering conclusion: “The Malian democracy has suffered a severe blow.”
Psäidentschaftskandidat Aliou Diallo was in the first ballot of a third party – and has the option already checked
Even if the country with the almost 18 million inhabitants, is theoretically still in the middle of the election campaign, is aware of that. Even in the centre of power in Bamako, many of the choice not to hang posters. Even before the decision of the constitutional court, there were no rallies or informational events to go to for the last Time on the voice-catching. Still quiet it is in the other regions – for example, in Kayes, capital of the province, 600 kilometres North-West of Bamako. “Before the election, it was our task to raise the awareness of the people and, for example, inform where and how they collect their voters cards,” said Darrar Ben Azour Maguiraga, Director of the municipal Radio station Radio Rurale. However, many conversations have him disillusioned: “In reality, it is not the program of the candidate, the people are interested. Otherwise, we would have obtained a different result.”
More Expensive Electoral Process
The turnout was 42.7% lower than in 2013, when 48 percent of registered voters to the polling station. Thus, the voters in the majority. So far it is not clear whether the slow distribution of voters lay the cards on the rainy weather, the uncertain situation in the North, which ensured that more than 700 polling stations opened, or simply lack of interest. The disaffected should not be forgotten, however, as Diallo: The five million Malians, the on 29. July remained at home, were “the silent majority.”
Many polling stations remained in the first ballot blank
Also Mamadou Sinsy Coulibaly, President of the national Council of Malian employers, sees the electoral process critically. From his office on the fourth floor, he is not aware of Bamako, and says: “you Understand me wrong, I’m for democracy.” The choice have, however, affected the Malian economy is enormous. The main reason for a country like Mali, a disproportionately high number of candidates: “You have to ballot for 24 candidates, you have to give you broadcast times. You have to protect you.” Three to five candidates to be a good number, says Coulibaly.
Democracy works only together with business
The entrepreneur is also President of a group of companies that belongs to a radio station. He calls, in General, more attention to the economy. “You can’t see the democracy first and the economy second.” Both are equally important, he says. The policy should, once again, develop visions, and the citizens not patronize. Only such massive problems such as unemployment could be addressed.
Employer President Sinsy Coulibaly sees the elections as a burden on the economy
The 24-year-old Boubacar Tangara is one of a minority of those who have chosen. His claim to the policy: “you must do something against corruption”. Only in this way could actually change something in the country. He also wants to choose again on Sunday: “How should we lead in this country the change?”