Senegal’s President Macky Sall postpones election amid political tension
Senegal’s President Macky Sall has delayed the upcoming elections this month after numerous complaints surfaced about the disqualification of numerous candidates.
The incumbent president, who confirmed he wouldn’t run for re-election, refrained from announcing a new election date.
Following the controversy, a constitutional council blocked several aspirants, including notable politicians, from participating in the elections.
President Sall expressed concern about the disruptive circumstances that could adversely affect the electoral process.
He stated his intention to initiate “an inclusive national dialogue” to establish conditions conducive to a fair, transparent, and peaceful election in a unified Senegal.
An opposition contender denounced the president’s decision to postpone the elections as a constitutional subversion.
Khalifa Sall, the former mayor of Dakar, urged citizens to protest against the decision, with his political coalition vowing to pursue legal action.
An association of influential Islamic leaders cautioned against delaying the elections, citing the potential destabilization of the country.
The decision to postpone the election marks an unprecedented event in Senegal, known for its stability within the West African democracies.
Ecowas expressed apprehension over the situation and urged authorities to expedite the necessary processes to reschedule the elections.
While twenty candidates remained on the final list, prominent figures like opposition politician Ousmane Sonko were excluded from the original vote slated for February 25 due to a libel conviction. Sonko, who has been entangled in various legal battles, alleged a concerted effort to prevent his presidential candidacy.
Karim Wade, the son of a former president, was also prevented from taking part because he is allegedly a French citizen as well as being Senegalese. He has described the accusation as “scandalous”, the AFP news agency reports.
Mr Wade’s backers in parliament questioned the neutrality of two of the judges on the panel that decided on the final list of candidates.
Some politicians have argued that the rules for candidacy were not applied fairly. Something the authorities have denied.
