BAMAKO, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Despite the COVID-19 threat, more than 7 million Malian voters were called Sunday to choose their 147 members of the Malian National Assembly during the first round of legislative elections across the country.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission of Mali, some 22,147 polling stations are set up across the country in its 125 constituencies which are scheduled to be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time Sunday.

A total of 1,451 candidates, including 427 females, are competing for the 147 seats in Mali's parliament.

There are currently two voting systems in Mali. For constituencies with only one seat, if one candidate obtains more than 50 percent of the votes, she or he is elected directly. If not, the top two candidates will compte in a run-off round.

For constituencies with more than one seat, the voters will cast their ballots for lists of candidates. Both or all of the candidates on one list will be elected if they obtain more than 50 percent of the votes. If not, the top two lists of candidates go into the run-off round.

Given the rising number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Mali, 21 confirmed cases so far, the government put hand washing kits or hand sanitizers Sunday at the entrance of each polling station.

It also invited voters to maintain a distance of at least one meter between them in the queues, and avoid handshaking and hugging.

People were also advised not to gather inside or outside polling stations, and to wash hands before and after voting.

The Malian president's party Rally for Mali won the legislative elections in 2013 with 66 seats.

The legislative elections should have taken place in 2018. However, the Constitutional Court approved extending the MP's mandate till May 2, 2020.

The second round of this year's legislative elections is scheduled for April 19. Enditem

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