Malians head to the Presidential polls

Voters across Mali are heading to the polls in a presidential election aimed at reuniting the country after months of political turmoil. There are 27 candidates and, if no outright winner emerges, the voting will go to a second round on 11 August. Security is tight, with many areas still recovering after a northern rebellion and coup that resulted in foreign military intervention. 6.8 million people are eligible to vote at 21,000 polling stations across the country. However, hundreds of thousands of people who were displaced by fighting in the north will not be able to vote. Islamist militants in the north have also warned Muslims not to take part and have threatened to attack polling stations. Candidates include three former prime ministers, a former finance minister and one woman.