Mauritanian opposition seeks postponement of senatoral elections

Nouakchott, Mauritania (PANA) - The democratic opposition coordination (DOC) in Mauritania, a group of eight political parties, are seeking the postponement of the senatoral elections, scheduled for 24 April.

The elections are to fill one third of the upper house of parliament.

In a letter addressed to the Minister of Interior and Decentralization, the group said the atmosphere in the country would not guarantee fairness and transparency in the elections.

It accused the administration of bias and many other actions that would mar the credibility of the elections, recalling the large-scale irregularities that took place in the previous senatoral elections.

The Mauritanian Senate has 54 members indirectly elected by councilors.
-0- PANA SAS/TBM/IBA/JEN/VAO 24March2011