Mali voters held peaceful presidential elections on Sunday as the country's leader, Alpha Oumar Konare, steps down after 10 years in office. 

Twenty-four candidates competed in Sunday's election to replace Mr. Konare, who is barred from seeking a third five-year term. Initial results are expected on Tuesday. 

Those on the ballot include a comedian, a former prime minister and a number of former ministers who served under President Konare. 

A second round of voting is scheduled for May 12th, because no one candidate is expected to win outright. 

More than five and a half million Malians are eligible to vote in Sunday's election. Voting got off to a slow start with long lines and reports of technical problems at some polling stations, including a shortage of ballot paper. 

Some information for this report provided by AFP.

Email this article to a friend.
Printer Friendly Version