Mali's election body voices doubt over feasibility of July presidential poll

BAMAKO, Mali – The head of the body charged with organizing Mali's upcoming presidential election has voiced doubt over the feasibility of holding the poll on July 28 as planned.

Mamadou Diamoutene, the president of the National Independent Election Commission, expressed his concerns even as political parties in Mali were rushing to meet the Friday deadline for submitting their candidates for the presidential ballot.

Diamoutene said: "There are a lot of obstacles to resolve. I have said it before and I will say it again that it will be difficult to hold to the July 28 date."

The international community, especially France, has put enormous pressure on Mali to hold the election, in an attempt to return the country to constitutional rule after a military coup in March 2012.