…AS Nineteen candidates vie to succeed President Macky Sall
…..Attempts to delay election triggered unrest
…..More than 50% of the vote needed to avoid a runoff
DAKAR – Voting opened in Senegal on Sunday in a delayed presidential election taking place against a turbulent political backdrop that has triggered violent anti-government protests and boosted support for the opposition.
At stake is the potential end of a regime that has pushed investor-friendly policies but failed to alleviate economic hardship in one of coup-prone West Africa’s more stable democracies just as it is poised to become the continent’s latest oil and gas producer.
There are 19 contenders vying to replace President Macky Sall, who is stepping down after a second term marred by unrest over the prosecution of firebrand opposition leader Ousmane Sonko and concerns that Sall wanted to extend his mandate past the constitutional limit.
The incumbent is not on the ballot for the first time in Senegal’s history. His ruling coalition has picked former prime minister Amadou Ba, 62, as its candidate.
“I believe that I’m the candidate that offers political stability, serenity and the capacity to move Senegal forward rapidly,” Ba told journalists as campaigning closed on Friday.
“Senegal does not need a complete overhaul.”
About 7.3 million people are registered to vote. In the capital, Dakar, voters were lined up hours before polls opened on time at 0800 GMT.
“I came early because I want change,” said Sidy Lamine Badji, a 36-year-old driver who was first to vote at his polling station in the ocean-facing neighbourhood of Ngor.
Life is difficult. We have not been making any progress since 2012.”
Fisherman Alioune Samba, 66, said he was voting for the change everyone wants.
“Food, water, school; everything is expensive with the low income we have in Senegal,” said the father of three.
The polls close at 1800 GMT and provisional results are expected by March 26.
Sonko, who was disqualified from the race because of a defamation conviction, is backing former tax inspector Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the 43-year-old co-creator of the now dissolved Pastef party.
Some high-profile politicians and opposition candidates have also backed Faye’s candidacy.
(Reuters)
