Mauritania party, election officials at odds over polls

NOUAKCHOTT (AA) - The Union for the Republic, Mauritania’s ruling party, has rejected a decision by the country’s electoral commission to extend the candidacy-registration period for upcoming polls by four days.

Party chief Sidi Mohamed Ould Maham defended the move on Friday, describing the sought-for extension as “illegal”.

On Thursday, electoral commission officials announced that the candidacy-registration period would be extended until July 17.

The committee attributed its decision to delays in the filing of candidacy-registration requests by some political parties.

Mauritania is set to hold parliamentary and local elections on Sept. 1.

While some opposition figures have questioned the integrity of the electoral process, the government insists that all steps have been taken to ensure “free and transparent” elections.