Ruling party big winner in Mauritanian elections

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Mauritania's ruling party won the majority of legislative seats in a second round of elections during the weekend, an official said Monday.

Electoral Commission President Abdullah Ould Ahmed said the Union for the Republic Party won 22 of 30 parliamentary seats, giving the party just over 50 percent of the seats in the 147-member body, the Anadolu Agency reported.

Parties allied with UPR picked up another 36 seats.

Opposition parties won 37 seats.

The party of the Muslim Brotherhood won only four seats.

UPR also won 74 percent of 218 local council seats, Ahmed said.