Malian military leader Colonel Assimi Goita took power through a coup in August 2020. / Photo: Reuters

Approximately 38% of Malian voters took part in a constitutional referendum organised by the ruling junta.

The turnout was announced on Wednesday by the head of the electoral authority, Moustapha Cisse, who said ballots in nearly all polling stations had now been counted.

Sunday's referendum was a delayed step towards a return to civilian rule in the West African nation.

It had been scheduled for March but was postponed as the Sahel state battled insurgents.

Centralising results

"More than 24,000 polling stations out of a total of 24,416 have been counted. At this stage in the centralising of results domestically and from abroad, the participation rate is 38 percent," Cisse said, reading out a statement to reporters.

He gave no indication of whether voters had backed the changes to the constitution or not.

The West African nation has been under military rule since an August 2020 coup.

Military leader Colonel Assimi Goita, 40, has vowed to return the country to civilian government in 2024.

Final results will be announced by Friday, the legally required deadline, Cisse said.

Some 8.4 million citizens were eligible to vote on the new text, which has fuelled speculation that Goita will seek election.

Political disagreement

Insecurity or political disagreement prevented voting in some central and northern areas.

The new constitution will strengthen the role of the president, who will have the right to hire and fire the prime minister and cabinet members.

However, the proposed reform has drawn vocal opposition, from former rebels and imams as well as political opponents.

Observers say a "yes" vote is almost certain.

AFP