Senegal is set to conduct an expedited presidential election following the overturning of President Macky Sall’s decree to postpone the vote, the government announced on Friday.
President Sall had initially sought to delay the February 25 election, citing unresolved disputes over eligible candidates. The National Assembly concurred, rescheduling the election for December 15.
However, the Constitutional Council declared these actions unconstitutional and illegal on Thursday, directing the government to swiftly organize the election, presumably allowing adequate time for campaigning.
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While acknowledging the impracticality of holding the election on February 25, the council emphasized the need for a prompt response.
In response, presidential spokesperson Yoro Dia declared on Friday that President Sall is committed to fully complying with the council’s decision and holding the elections at the earliest opportunity. However, the government has not yet specified a new date.
Despite being considered one of the region’s stable democracies, Senegal has faced political turmoil due to election disputes, leading to deadly protests and disruptions to mobile internet services. Security forces have reportedly killed at least three people, and dozens have been injured.
President Sall has faced accusations of attempting to prolong his stay in office, a claim he vehemently denied in a recent interview with the media. The pressure, both local and international, has intensified since the attempts to postpone the vote.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the U.S. Bureau of African Affairs praised the Constitutional Council’s decision, stating that it puts Senegal back on track for a timely presidential election.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all Senegalese parties to ensure an inclusive and transparent presidential election within the framework of Senegal’s constitution.
On Friday, the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, issued a statement on Friday, urging President Sall to adhere to the election timetable and calling on competent authorities to set a date in line with the council’s decision.
The timeline for the election remains uncertain, and potential changes to the list of eligible candidates are yet to be clarified. President Sall, who assumed office in 2012, is expected to complete his two terms on April 2.
According to the constitution, elections must be held 30-45 days before the end of his mandate.
In an attempt to ease tensions, the government released several hundred political prisoners this week. The opposition suggests that releasing all prisoners and initiating talks between the opposition and the president could diffuse the situation and lead to an early election date, as proposed by Dr. Manel Fall, a member of the dissolved PASTEF opposition party.
