Mali's incumbent president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita addresses his supporters during his last political rally in Bamako. AFP
Mali's incumbent president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita addresses his supporters during his last political rally in Bamako. AFP

Mali's top court confirms Keita as presidential election winner



Mali's constitutional court on Monday confirmed President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita's re-election in a run-off ballot, rejecting fraud accusations by the opposition candidate.

The decision clears the way for Mr Keita to be inaugurated next month for a second five-year term, at a time when Malian authorities are contending with rising violence by militant groups and ethnic militias.

Challenger Soumaila Cisse had contested the electoral commission result of the August 12 vote, which showed Mr Keita winning 67 per cent.

The election was tainted by armed attacks in the centre and north, where hundreds of polling stations remained closed, and a turnout of only 34 percent reflected fears of violence as well as voter apathy.

Mr Cisse says he would have won 51 per cent of the vote but for ballot box stuffing and other cheating by Mr Keita's camp. Mr Keita rejected the allegations.

The European Union observer mission and other local and international monitors said that, despite a number of irregularities and disruptions, they saw no evidence of fraud.

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Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

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What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
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In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.