Fifteen out of the 20 candidates approved for Senegal’s delayed February presidential election are urging for the new vote to take place no later than April 2, the official end of President Macky Sall’s term. In a joint letter, they emphasized the importance of a prompt handover to the successor and urged the authorities to maintain the list of approved candidates from January.
The signatories, including prominent contenders like detained anti-establishment candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye and former Dakar mayor Khalifa Sall, expressed disappointment over the lack of action taken by the authorities following the Constitutional Council’s decision.
In response, thousands of Senegalese citizens participated in the first authorized protest in the capital since the election postponement. President Sall has pledged to adhere to the Constitutional Council’s ruling and facilitate the necessary consultations for organizing the presidential election at the earliest possible time.
Senegal was thrown into significant political unrest when the election, initially scheduled for February 25, was abruptly postponed by President Sall. Although the Constitutional Council overturned the decision, it left unresolved the election date and the inclusion of candidates in the ballot.
The Aar Sunu Election collective is advocating for a swift vote, even proposing the dates of March 3 or 10, and is insistent on proceeding with the previously selected candidates. On the other hand, opposition groups and supporters are pressing for the election to take place before the president’s term expires and demanding equal treatment for their candidate.
Within the majority, there are calls for a broader national dialogue before the election and a review of the electoral law, while candidates who didn’t make the list are advocating for a national consultation to revise the electoral process from the beginning. Among them is Karim Wade, whose party had requested the election postponement.
The country now awaits an announcement from the head of state as the political standoff continues.
(with AFP)
