Though his primary opponent from the ruling coalition stated a run-off will be required to establish the winner, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the opposition candidate, led his supporters in celebration in the streets as early results of Senegal’s presidential vote showed him leading.
As the results of the election came in on Sunday, at least five of the 19 contenders in the contest congratulated Faye in statements.
The candidate of the ruling coalition, former prime minister Amadou Ba, claimed the festivities were unwarranted.
“For our part, and considering the feedback of the results from our team of experts, we are certain that, in the worst case scenario, we will go to a run-off,” the campaign for Ba stated in a statement.
Enormous numbers of voters engaged in a nonviolent voting day to select Senegal’s fifth president, following three years of unparalleled political unrest that led to violent anti-government demonstrations and increased backing for the opposition.
In one of the most stable democracies in coup-prone West Africa, there is a chance that the administration of outgoing President Macky Sall, which has pushed policies beneficial to investors but not helped alleviate economic misery, will fall.
Nineteen candidates campaigned for the post of Sall, who is resigning following a second term dogged by controversy with the trial of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko and suspicions that the president intended to exceed the constitutional limit on his powers.
This was the first occasion in Senegal’s history that the incumbent was not on the ballot. Ba, 62, was chosen as the nominee by his ruling coalition.
ANCIENT TALLIES
There were roughly 7.3 million voters in the roughly 18 million-person nation. Around 71% of voters turned out, according to RTS, the state broadcaster.
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Election day went off without a hitch, with no significant events recorded.
Widespread street celebrations in Dakar’s capital occurred when the first round of tallies, which were displayed on television, revealed that Faye had won the majority of the vote.
In Sonko’s neighborhood, jubilant fans gathered as they let off vuvuzelas, waved Senegalese flags, and let off fireworks.
Later, at least five rival contenders proclaimed Faye the victor, essentially admitting defeat. Among them was Anta Babacar Ngom, a leading candidate who expressed his wishes for Faye’s success as Senegalese leader in a statement.
The number of voting places out of the 15,633 that have been counted thus far is unknown.
By Tuesday, the final tentative results should be known. Only in the event that no candidate obtains the more than 50% majority needed to avoid a runoff will there be a second round of voting.
“SONKO IS DIOMAYE.”
Sonko’s defamation conviction barred him from the race, and he remained in jail until recently. He is supporting Faye, who was also arrested about a year ago on contempt of court and defamation charges, and who was a co-creator of his now-dissolved Pastef party.
This month’s amnesty bill permitted them release several days prior to the election. “Diomaye is Sonko” is the flag they used to campaign together. Faye has received support from a number of well-known politicians and opposition candidates.
After casting his ballot, Faye declared, “The population is choosing between continuation and rupture,” pleading with the other candidates to concede to the victor.
Sall, who was initially elected in 2012, is stepping down from his position following a decline in support that grew when the government attempted to move the election to December. The original date was set on February 25.
Senegal’s Constitutional Council decided that the vote should take place prior to Sall’s mandate expiring on April 2 since the action stirred discontent and raised worries about authoritarian overreach.
With her pledges to eradicate corruption, bring stability back, and give priority to economic sovereignty, Faye is hoping to win over the disgruntled urban youth who feel unemployed in a nation where sixty percent of people are under 25.
Reporting by Bate Felix and Diadie Ba Portia Crowe, Ngouda Dione, and Alessandra Prentice contributed additional reporting. Written by Christensen Sofia Editing by Lincoln Feast, Ros Russell, and David Goodman
