Malians vote for president on Sunday

The West African country of Mali started to vote for president on Sunday morning.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, 6, 884,524 people, including 617,611 who are living abroad, registered for the voting in the country with a population of just over 13 million.

Eight people are contesting for the top position, with seven, including a woman, are running in the opposition, and the incumbent Amadou Toumani Toure being viewed as the favorite to win another five-year term.

Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, a former prime minister and head of the National Assembly, is widely considered Toure's most serious rival.

A candidate needs to garner 51 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff.

Source: Xinhua