Voters in Senegal are heading to the polls on Sunday to elect their new president in a deeply contested and unpredictable race, after three years of political uncertainty.
Observers expect a fierce contest between two frontline candidates– former prime minister Amadou Ba, 62, representing the ruling coalition, and opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye who is 43.
The former prime minister campaigned on upholding the programmes of the ruling party, while Faye who has the backing of Ousmane Sonko, a popular rival of Sall’s barred by courts from running himself, promised a total change and left-wing pan-Africanism.
Faye has insisted on renegotiating Senegal’s oil and gas deals, address its relations with France, and reviewing its currency. Faye had been jailed on charges including defamation and contempt of court but was freed this month as part of an amnesty deal.
With 7.3 million registered voters, a straight win will require at least 50%, of the total vote cast. Pundits suggest a runoff is likely even though both candidates eye a first-round victory.There are 15 other contenders in the race, including a female candidate.
The election is expected to come to a halt by 6PM GMT, with provisional results expected by Monday and official results within a week.
Election monitoring organisations, civil liberties groups, and international observers are in Senegal in spite of concerns over potential unrest.
A last-minute postponement and legal contentions nearly derailed the campaigns in a region that has increasingly seen democratic instability and coups.
