Mauritania senate polls start
2009-11-08 21:00
Nouakchott - A partial election for Mauritania's senate began on Sunday with the participation of opposition parties, officials said.
The majority of current senators support the government of Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who seized power in a military coup in August 2008 and won a presidential election in July 2009.
Opposition parties said they would take part in the election, but will refuse to co-operate with the government until it investigates allegations of fraud during the presidential polls.
Municipal councillors will elect senators in 15 districts, and the opposition has claimed some have come under pressure to vote for Abdel Aziz's party.
Sunday's vote will elect 18 senators from a total of 56, and a run-off vote will be held in a week's time, if needed.