Mali: Malians voted on Sunday in legislative elections amid heavy security highlighting fears the poll could be sabotaged by rebel attacks.
The vote is the last step in restoring constitutional rule in Mali following a military coup in March 2012.
In the confusion following the coup rebel groups, including Tuareg separatists and Islamic extremists linked to al-Qaida, took control of the country's north, prompting France to launch a military intervention in January.
United Nations peacekeepers and Malian soldiers outnumbered voters in the northern city of Gao when polling stations opened at 8 a.m. on Sunday, though the number of voters increased closer to midday.
The turnout appeared, however, to fall short of Mali's peaceful presidential election held in July and August, when Malians elected Ibrahim Boubacar Keita to lead the country in a contest that was decided in a runoff.
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