Mali's government says the July 28 presidential election will go ahead as planned despite concerns about logistical problems.

Moussa Coulibaly, Mali's Minister of Territorial Administration, said Tuesday that there was never any question regarding the date of the poll.

"There has never been any doubt about the elections," he said. "We are ready. All is in order. We are going to hold elections on the 28th."

Coulibaly said his department, and not Mali's election commission, had final say over the poll.

The election will be the first since last year's coup that allowed al-Qaida-linked groups to seize control of the north. The Islamists were later ousted by a French-led military offensive.

Source: VOA

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