The opposition boycotted the vote and called it a "farce"
The citizens of Mauritania have abolished the country's Senate saying it is useless and too expensive for the people. Mauritanians have voted to abolish the upper house of their
parliament, the Senate, in a controversial referendum that was boycotted
by the opposition.
The result is seen as a victory for President Mohamed Ould Abdel
Aziz, who is accused by his rivals of trying to extend his mandate,
which he denies.
He called the referendum after the Senate rejected his proposals to change the constitution.
Turnout was 53.73%, with 85% of voters supporting the change, officials said. But members of the opposition denounced an "electoral farce which has given way to open-air fraud".
Mr Abdel Aziz, who described the Senate as "useless and too
costly", said the move to abolish it would improve governance by
introducing more local forms of lawmaking. He is barred by the
constitution from running a third term - he came to power in a coup in
2008, was elected president the following year and won a second term in
2014.
The president is a key ally of the West and neighbouring states in
countering Islamist extremist groups. In the same referendum, held on
Saturday, voters also supported a change to the national flag. The
current green flag with yellow Islamic crescent and star will also
feature red bands to honour the blood spilt by those who fought for
freedom from France.
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