Senegal’s Constitutional Council has issued an updated list of presidential candidates, signaling a continuation of the electoral process and dismissing calls for a reevaluation of pre-election procedures.
The newly revised list now includes 19 candidates, with the notable withdrawal of candidate Rose Wardini from the race. This development comes amidst heightened tensions stemming from the postponement of the presidential poll, which was initially slated for February 25.
President Macky Sall’s last-minute announcement of the delay, just prior to the commencement of campaigning, triggered a political crisis, leading Parliament to advocate for a postponement until mid-December.
However, the Constitutional Council recently overturned this decision, urging authorities to proceed with the election at the earliest opportunity. President Sall has pledged to abide by the Council’s ruling and accelerate preparations for the vote.
Nevertheless, uncertainty prevails over whether the election will take place before or after President Sall’s term concludes on April 2, sparking debates on the legitimacy of the electoral process.
Questions persist regarding the necessity of restarting the electoral process, raising doubts about the legitimacy of the 20 candidates initially validated in January.
As Senegal navigates through this period of political turbulence, attention remains focused on the Constitutional Council’s decisions and the government’s endeavours to ensure a seamless transition of power.
