Malians have overwhelmingly approved the draft of a new constitution presented by the ruling junta, with an impressive 97% of the vote, according to provisional official results announced by the electoral authority in Bamako on Friday.
This vote marks a significant step in the military’s efforts to rebuild Mali, a nation grappling with pervasive jihadism and a multifaceted crisis.
Despite the resounding approval, the electoral process was not without flaws. Observers and opponents of the reform noted incidents and irregularities throughout the ballot. The voter turnout stood at 39.40%, indicating a moderate level of participation.
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Critics of the new constitution argue that it was strategically designed to enable the colonels to retain power even beyond the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for February 2024.
This has sparked concerns as the military initially pledged to hand over control to civilians following the elections.
Voting faced challenges in various central and northern localities due to the prevailing fear of jihadist attacks and political disagreements.
However, Malians who cast their ballots expressed hope that the approval of the constitution would mark a positive stride towards addressing the decade-long Islamic extremist violence that has plagued the country.
The proposed constitution introduces a bicameral parliament, consisting of the National Assembly and the Senate, a departure from the previous system that solely relied on the National Assembly.
Furthermore, the draft reinforces the President of Mali’s position, a provision that has sparked intense political debates and discussions.
