A number of political associations in Mali have joined forces to oppose the military government’s decision to hold a referendum on a new constitution on June 18.

The referendum, announced on Friday, is a milestone on the country’s path towards elections promised for February after a coup three years earlier. The referendum had been previously scheduled for March 19 but was postponed.

The coalition is demanding the cancellation of the decree to convene the electoral bodies because it considers the ruling authorities illegitimate, Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported.

The group also points out that “more than two-thirds of the territory [is] being plunged into generalised insecurity”, according to RFI.