Magharebia

Some 320 observers from the African Union, the Arab League, the International Organisation of Francophonie and other organisations will monitor Mauritania's presidential elections on Saturday, Communication Minister Ahmed Ould Ahmed Abd announced on Thursday (July 16th). Mauritania plans to open 2,513 polling stations to receive the country's 1,239,892 registered voters. Ballots have also been distributed for the first time to expatriate Mauritanians so that they can participate in the national poll, PANA reported. Mauritania's nine presidential candidates officially ended their campaigns on Thursday.

In related news, Mauritanian authorities on Thursday shut down a private radio station considered close to Messaoud Ould Boulkheir, one of the nine presidential candidates running in the Saturday elections, AFP reported. "Radio for Mauritania", which reportedly began broadcasting without authorisation, is owned by the political organisation "For Mauritania," part of the FNDD coalition which supports Boulkheir.