BEIJING, Aug. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Poll workers in Mali have begun counting votes in Sunday's presidential run-off. Voting took place at some 21,000 polling stations across the country.

Observers said participation appeared to be slightly lower for the run-off than for the first-round election. But the vote was peaceful and free of major technical problems.

Final results are expected in two or three days, and the constitutional court has until Friday to certify them.

Former prime minister Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was pitted against former finance minister Soumaila Cisse for the top post.

Keita won nearly 40 percent of the first-round vote held on July 28th, largely ahead of his rival, who got about 20 percent. 20 of the 25 eliminated candidates of the first round threw their support behind Keita.

(Source: CNTV.cn)