In Mali, the organization of future presidential and legislative issues is already raising questions. They are the ones marking the end of the transition period when Mali began after the military coup on 18 August. To organize them, Malia’s Ministry of Territorial Administration, which is traditionally responsible for organizing the votes, announced on December 15 the creation of a cell to support the transition process’s electoral process. A cell that raises concerns among political actors as well as for civil society.
The cell will need to “support” the Ministry of Territorial Administration “in the operationalization of the constituencies” and “in the preparation and material organization of the operations.”
Parana’s surprise and concern: Djiguiba Keita, the party’s secretary general, reminds the transitional authorities of the conclusions of the inclusive national dialogue just a year ago. “It was unanimous. We have said that we must refrain from administering the electoral organization. So the cell is the complete opposite of that. But it is problematic because we have always condemned the administration’s control over the election. The solution is to create a single body that is independent of the Ministry of Territorial Administration. ”
A collective consisting of a dozen civil society organizations participating in the election observation process also expresses its concern. Ibrahima Sangho leads the election and good governance observatory in Mali. “When we see the post-election crisis culminating in the coup, it is because there are several bodies that organized these elections: the Ministry of Territorial Administration, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the General Election Delegation and the Constitutional Court. Many deputies complained that it was the Ministry of Territorial Administration that manipulated their results. About twenty deputies complained to the Constitutional Court. What we want is a unique and independent electoral body in the Republic of Mali. “
The transitional charter prescribes the organization of the next presidential and legislative election 18 months after the transitional president’s investment. Most recently therefore in March 2022.
.
