Bamako, Mali – (African Boulevard News) – The early voting for Mali’s proposed constitution referendum has begun ahead of the official polling day scheduled for June 20. The voting process started on June 9 and will run until June 15, giving Malians an opportunity to cast their vote ahead of time.
Among the early voters were soldiers who were able to vote at their barracks. Lieutenant-colonel Cheick Oumar Diarra, commander of the Kati military camp, expressed his pride upon casting his vote and urged his colleagues to follow suit. “I’m very happy to be the first voter in my capacity as the regiment commander, and I’m very proud to have fulfilled my civic duty. And I urge all my colleagues to come and vote,” he said.
The proposed constitution aims to address some of the issues that led to the 2020 coup, which saw the ousting of former president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. The draft constitution, which was produced by a committee of experts and approved by a national dialogue, includes provisions that would limit presidential terms to two, provide greater autonomy for regional officials, and give young Malians the opportunity to participate in political leadership.
The referendum has been met with mixed reactions from the Malian public, with some expressing concerns about the proposed changes. However, many are optimistic that the new constitution will bring about much-needed change in the country.
The voting process has been closely monitored by the international community, including the United Nations, who have expressed support for the referendum. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, called on Malians to participate in the voting process and expressed hope that the referendum would pave the way for greater peace and stability in the country.
The Malian government has also put in place measures to ensure the safety of voters and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 during the referendum. These measures include the distribution of masks and hand sanitizers, and the implementation of social distancing guidelines at polling stations.
In conclusion, the early voting for the proposed constitution referendum in Mali has begun, with soldiers among the first to cast their ballots. The proposed constitution seeks to address issues that led to the 2020 coup and introduce reforms in areas such as presidential terms and regional autonomy. The international community has expressed support and hopes for a peaceful and stable outcome, and the Malian government has implemented safety measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The official polling day is scheduled for June 20.
