Mali: majority of refugees were unable to vote

The overwhelming majority of refugees who fled the conflict in northern Mali were unable to vote in the first round of the presidential election because their identity cards had not reached them, according to a report by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

Of 73,000 refugees now in Mauritania, Niger and Burkina Faso who were eligible to vote, only 1,313 took part in the country’s first election since a military coup 18 months ago.

Within Mali, there was a record turnout in the July 28 first round of over 50 percent of the 6.9 million electorate, and international observers have broadly reported the election as being free and fair, despite minor procedural flaws.

The UNHCR report, passed to aid organisations and embassies, said the main reason for the low turnout among refugees was that many of those who had registered with the UNHCR had been unable to get their NINA (Numero d’Identité Nationale) cards in time to vote.

“The key reason for the low voter figure as compared with those who had registered was the NINA voter card, which according to Malian law, is required to be able actually to vote,” the report said.