Mali’s constitutional referendum postponed indefinitely

Malian Government has postponed its constitutional referendum, initially scheduled for March 19, to a later date.

Mali’s Senior Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation announced this on Friday.

This deferment, as also announced by Government Spokesman Abdoulaye Maiga, on national television (ORTM), is justified by the difficulties related to the operationalisation of the new regions.

It is also justified by the delay in the issuance of the secure biometric card, which is also the voter card under the new electoral law.

Maiga explained, without specifying whether or not this postponement will affect the entire electoral agenda.

Apart from the constitutional referendum, the electoral timetable provides for the holding of combined elections for local authorities on June 25 and legislative elections on Oct. 29 and Nov. 19.

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The timetable also provides that the presidential elections should hold on Feb. 4 and Feb. 18, 2024.

When asked by Xinhua, several observers said the postponement comes as no surprise.

This is, especially so, since eight million potential Malian voters will not be able to acquire the new digital identity cards within the time limit set by law.

After the Aug. 18, 2020 coup, the military put a political transition underway in Mali since Sept. 15, 2020.

Previously set to last 18 months, it was extended to February 2024, following a decree by President Assimi Goita.

The decree set the duration of the transition at 24 months, starting March 26, 2022. (Xinhua)