The European community has pledged a hefty  $4 billion development fund for Mali election winner.On Sunday,many optimistic voters  streamed to polling stations daring  the heavy downpour that persisted half-day. The two contenders; Soumaila Cisse and Ibrahim Keita have been battling it out for the top office in round two of the elections after both failed to meet the minimum  thresh-hold hold required to be declared elections winner in round one. Mr.Keita from the South  known  for his strong nationalist policies appeared to be making a better stab at the presidency after a  39% July’s round one victory.

The international community had promised to help steer Mali on the development path through a $4 billion development fund pledge in grants. So far,no incidences of elections malpractices  have been reported with voters expressing confidence in the election outcome .Optimism for a better  future of their country is also rife with expectations from whoever will be declared winner. Mali has been under under political siege and uncertainties following a military  coup with toppled the then government in 2012.

There has been a heavy presence of UN troops in Mali during the elections in collaboration  with French and Malian forces to ensure peace and calm during voting. In the capital ,Bamako,many expressed hope of having a democratically elected president once voting counting is over and results declared. Mr.Cisse, a technocrat from Timbuktu  North and a former finance minister has been  articulated in his  economic recovery policies  as a priority for Malians. In the first round of the elections held in July 28th,Mr. Cisse who garnered  20% of the votes  and was placed  a distant second among the 27 candidates , had expressed dissatisfaction with the high number of votes which were declared spoilt. He however promised to accept the people’s will in round two.

A $4  billion development fund for Mali election winner will unlock Mali’s potential and future economic recovery.This is according to many of the Sunday voters who also urged Malians to desist from acts of violence and accept  results. Since the Military coup,Mali has been under the surveillance of UN troops.  Mr. Ibrahim Keita  68,who is a former prime minister, apart from receiving  the backing of round one looses also rides on the support of influential moderate Islamic leaders.