Mauritania goes to the polls

The opposition accuses the government of falsifying economic date

The people of Mauritania have begun voting in parliamentary and local elections under a new proportional voting system.

President Taya has vowed to eradicate poverty

Mauritanians arrived early at polling stations in the hope of avoiding the fierce daytime heat, the AFP news agency reported.

A record 15 parties are taking part in two polls, one for the 81-member National Assembly, the other to elect 216 municipal councils.

All but one assembly seats are currently held by the ruling Democratic and Social Republican Party (PRDS).

Opposition accusations

The BBC North Africa correspondent says the party is certain to hold on to power, helped by economic improvements and the advantages of incumbency.

But the new voting system should at least ensure more seats for the opposition Action for Change, which boycotted elections in 1996.

The opposition has accused the government of falsifying economic data, embezzling foreign aid money and failing to look after the poor.

Opposition leader Ahmed Ould Daddah has said the economy is in fact totally bankrupt and falling into a "vicious circle of poverty".

Our correspondent says the Mauritanian Government has also been sending out mixed political signals recently.

On the one hand, it imprisoned an opposition leader for allegedly plotting insurrection, and on the other it welcomed home the country's ousted former president, Moktar Ould Daddah, after 23 years in exile.

According to AFP, President Maaouya Ould Taya vowed to win the war on poverty when he delivered his last political speech in July.