Mali’s ruling junta has announced a delay in the presidential election scheduled for February 2024.

Government spokesman Abdoulaye Maiga told reporters on Monday that the two rounds of the election, initially set for February 4 and 18, 2024, would be “slightly postponed for technical reasons.”

He cited issues linked to the adoption this year of a new constitution and a review of the electoral lists, as well as a dispute with the French company Idemia, which the junta says is involved in the census process.

Maiga said that the new dates for the presidential election would be communicated later.

The junta seized power in a coup in August 2020, and it has since faced pressure from the international community to hold elections and restore democracy.

The junta has promised to hold elections in February 2024, but it has repeatedly delayed the process.

The election was aimed at returning civilian leaders to power in the jihadist-hit West African nation.