Senegalese opposition on Sunday, cast symbolic votes to express their discontent with the unexpected delay of the presidential election initially slated for Sunday, February 25.
The mock elections, organised by some presidential candidates, took place in the country’s capital Dakar where the candidates who took part slipped their ballot papers into a box bearing the words “RIP 25 February.”
“It’s Feb. 25, which was supposed to be the day of the presidential election. We ask the President of the Republic to organise the election as soon as possible because we value our democracy,” one of the voters said.
The group, who addressed themselves as FC25, demanded a fresh date for the delayed polls. They also declared February 25 “a day of mourning for Senegalese Democracy”.
“We cannot accept, with the stroke of a pen, being deprived of what is essential to us, that is to say, our freedom and democracy, and above all our ability to elect our leaders,” said presidential candidate and former Dakar Mayor Khalifa Sall.
President Macky Sall, who has held office since 2012, faced criticisms and public protests after indefinitely suspending the February 25 presidential election. The demonstrations resulted in casualties, with numerous protesters injured and several others detained by the police.
President Sall announced on Thursday, February 22 that he would be leaving office on April 2, 2024.