Malians vote in Prez runoff amid security concerns

Malians voted Sunday in a second round presidential election between incumbent Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Opposition leader Soumaila Cissewill in this sprawling West African nation threatened by rising extremist violence.

Sunday’s polls opened to light rain and light turnout. Many worry that the vote could be marred by violence.

In the July 29 first-round presidential vote, extremists killed three election workers and destroyed some voting materials.

Nearly 43 percent of voters made it to the polls last month and at least 671 polling stations were closed. Despite the relatively low turnout officials called the vote well-conducted.

Mali has grown more insecure since Keita beat Cisse in a second round election in 2013.

Malian authorities arrested three jihadists on Friday who said they were preparing to carry out an attack during the vote in Bamako, said Mali army spokesman Col. Idrissa Traore on Sunday.