Vote counting underway in Mali

Vote counting is underway in Mali’s runoff presidential election as the Malians hope the new president would bring stability to the West African country following a military coup.

Malians went to the polls on Sunday to choose between former Prime Minister Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and former Finance Minister Soumaila Cisse.

The election, the first since 2007, came following last year’s coup that ignited a rebel insurgency and a French-led war that displaced thousands of civilians in the country.

Keita, also known as IBK, is running against the former finance minister. Keita won 40 percent of the votes in the first round.

Observers say the vote was peaceful and free of major technical problems.

Final results are expected in two or three days, and the constitutional court has until Friday to certify them.