Ould wins Mauritanian election
2003-11-08 20:29
Nouakchott - Mauritanian President Maaouiya Ould Taya has been reelected to another term in office, winning more than two-thirds of votes cast, Interior Minister Kaba Ould Alewa said on Saturday announcing final results.
He gave Ould Taya's score with 66.69%, while his main opponent, former president Mohamed Khouna Ould Haidallah, garnered 18.73%.
Ahmed Ould Daddah and Messaoud Ould Boulkheir won 6.89% and 5.3% respectively.
A fifth candidate, Moulaye El Hacen Ould Jied, won 1.48% and Aicha Mint Jeddane, the only woman candidate, 0.47%.
The Friday election had come in for severe criticism, notably from the opposition, with claims of fraud and ballot-box stuffing. Ould Haidallah was briefly detained on the eve of the vote on charges he was fomenting a coup.
Turnout stood at 60.83% of the 1 107 400 registered voters.
The results must be validated by the constitutional council within the next 10 days.