Senegal is gearing up for a highly anticipated presidential election, with a thousand observers from civil society ready to monitor the vote. In Dakar, volunteers are busy preparing for the big day, ensuring that everything runs smoothly.

The election, initially scheduled for late February, was postponed by President Macky Sall, sparking tension in the political landscape. With Sall reaching the end of his two-term limit, the race to choose his successor has become one of the most closely watched events in Africa.

The 19 candidates vying for the presidency had just two weeks to campaign, making the competition fierce. Observers stress the importance of ensuring the credibility of the election results, given the current political climate.

Civil society groups, such as Cosce, are playing a crucial role in monitoring the electoral process and ensuring transparency. By verifying that voting procedures are followed correctly, they aim to boost public confidence in the outcome of the election.

As polling stations open, field observers will report any incidents to the central team in Dakar, who will compile the data. In France, where a large Senegalese community resides, nearly 80,000 people are registered to vote at overseas polling stations.

The frontrunners in the election include Prime Minister Amadou Ba, ruling party candidate and Sall’s preferred successor, and Bassirou Diomaye Faye, standing in for popular opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. Veteran politicians Idrissa Seck and Khalifa Sall are also expected to perform well in the race.

With the election likely to go to a second round in March, all eyes are on Senegal as the country prepares to choose its next leader.