Mali Elections: Presidential poll takes place amid security concerns

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02:27

Vote counting has began in Mali. The election will determine whether President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita will win a second term. The country is hoping to end years of instability that turned one of West Africa's most stable countries into one of the most dangerous. CGTN's Peninah Karibe has the latest.

It's Mali's second presidential election since a coup in 2012. Voting got off to a slow start on Sunday amid security concerns. Incumbent president Boubacar Keita cast his vote at a polling station in the capital, Bamako. He's facing 23 other candidates, but his main challenger is Soumaila Cisse.

PENINAH KARIBE BAMAKO, MALI "It's been described as a high stakes election in which incumbent Boubacar Keita is hoping to get a second term and despite security concerns in the country, the electoral commission is promising a smooth vote."

Security has been tight across the country for this vote, with 30-thousand security personnel deployed.

JEAN MARIE NGONDJIBANGANGTE ELECTION OBSERVER "I know people are saying Kidal and Timbuktu are insecure but the information I have is that voting is going on smoothly. There have been no incidents reported so far in those regions."

The turn-out is typically low in Mali - below 50 percent. But as the day wore on, queues lengthened here in Bamako.

AI DARRA VOTER "It's important that everyone votes because we are voting for the future of Mali."

And those who did, hailed the process as smooth and well organized.

KEBE MUSA VOTER "Since Mali started having elections, I have never seen elections that are well organized like this. so I'm pleading with everyone to accept the results once they are announced. Because we must have a president after the elections."

There were some issues with tracking down voter cards in some polling stations, though.

MARIE DJEKITE VOTER "I came to vote and I was hoping I would get my voters card in the room where I'm supposed to vote but I was told to come here instead to collect. I wish they could distribute the voters cards to the various rooms where people are voting because they have lists of our names and where we are supposed to vote. I hope in future they will be better organized."

The first election results are expected by Tuesday. If no outright winner emerges, the country will go to a second round of voting in August. Peninah Kariba, Bamako, Mali.