Mali's ex-Prime Minister Ibrahim Boubakar Keita has a clear lead over his rivals in presidential elections intended to restore democratic rule, the government has said.
Former Finance Minister Soumaila Cisse was in second place after about a third of votes were counted, it added.
Mr Cisse's camp rejected the result, calling for an international commission to count ballots cast in Monday's poll.
Mali was hit by a coup and an Islamist-led insurgency last year.
France sent more than 4,000 troops in January to regain control of northern towns and cities from al-Qaeda-linked militants.
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