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For the first time, Mauritania's women voters have the chance to cast their ballots for a female candidate

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Power in Mauritania has never changed hands through the ballot box, only through military coups

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President Taya says no other country will have more transparent elections...

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... But the opposition complain of intimidation. A march was broken up by police on Wednesday

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Opposition candidate Mohamed Khouna Ould Haidalla was detained on the eve of polling but released in time to vote and dip his finger in indelible ink so he cannot vote twice

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Men and women line up to vote in separate queues in this Islamic Republic