IFES
Record Modified: Aug 16 2023

Nov. 7, 2003 Held

Mauritania

Islamic Republic of Mauritania

Election for Mauritanian Presidency

Results

Voter
Turnout*
Cast Votes:673,591
Valid Votes:658,148
Invalid Votes:15,443

Candidates:

Maaouya Ould Sid' Ahmed TAYA438,915

66.69

Mohamed Khouna Ould HAIDALLA123,444

18.76

Ahmed Ould DADDAH43,314

6.58

Meeaoud Ould BOULKHEIR33,089

5.03

Moulaye Elhacen Ould JEID3,768

0.5725156043929329

Aicha Mint JEDAANE3,100

0.4710186766502368

More Info:

At stake in this election:

  • The office of President of Mauritania

Description of government structure:

  • Chief of State: President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA
  • Head of Government: Prime Minister Sidi Mohamed Ould BOUBAKAR
  • Assembly: Mauritania has a bicameral Legislature consisting of the Senate (Majlis al-Shuyukh) with 56 seats and the National Assembly (Majlis al-Watani) with 81 seats.

Description of electoral system:

  • The President is elected by popular vote to serve a 6-year term.
  • In the Senate (Majlis al-Shuyukh) 56 members are elected by municipal leaders to serve 6-year terms*. In the National Assembly (Majlis al-Watani) 81 members are elected by popular vote to serve 5-year terms.

* Senators are elected by indirect vote by municipal leaders to serve 6-year terms. A part of the seats up for election every two years.

Main Candidates in the Presidential race:

  • Maaouya Ould Sid' Ahmed TAYA
    • Party: Republican Democratic and Social Party (PRDS)
  • Mohamed Khouna Ould HAIDALLA
    • Party: Independent
  • Ahmed Ould DADDAH
    • Party: Independent
  • Meeaoud Ould BOULKHEIR
    • Party: Independent
  • Moulaye Elhacen Ould JEID
    • Party: Independent
  • Aicha Mint JEDAANE
    • Party: Independent

Last Presidential election:

  • The last presidential election was held on December 12, 1997 with President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA securing 90.9% of the votes.

Population and number of registered voters:

  • Population: 2,974,686 (2003)
  • Registered Voters: 1,203,668 (1997 Based on the 1997 presidential elections.)

Gender Data:

·         Female Population: 1,482,332 (2003)

·         Is Mauritania a signatory to CEDAW: No

·         Has Mauritania ratified CEDAW: Yes, accession (10 May 2001)

·         Gender Quota: Yes

·         Female candidates in this election: Yes

·         Number of Female Parliamentarians: 3 (National Assembly) (following the 2001 elections)

·         Human Development Index Position: 156 (2014)

·         Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: Very High (2014)

Disability Data:

·         Is Mauritania a signatory to CRPD: No

·         Has Mauritania ratified CRPD: Yes, accession (3 April 2012)

·         Population with a disability: 446,202 (est.)