Opposition supporters in Senegal took to the streets in celebration as early results showed presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye leading in the polls. While several other candidates issued statements congratulating Faye on his victory, the ruling coalition expressed the need for a run-off to determine the final winner. This comes after three years of political unrest and protests in the country, leading to President Macky Sall stepping down after two terms in office.
The incumbent president was not on the ballot for the first time in the country’s history, as his ruling coalition selected former Prime Minister Amadou Ba as its candidate. Opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who was disqualified due to a defamation conviction, is backing Faye in the election. The two have campaigned together under the banner “Diomaye is Sonko” after being released from detention just days before the vote due to an amnesty law passed in the country.
Approximately 7.3 million people were registered to vote in the election, with a voter turnout of around 71 percent. The election day went smoothly with no major incidents reported, and the first set of tallies showed Faye leading in the majority of votes. Supporters of the opposition gathered in celebration in Dakar, waving flags, setting off fireworks, and blowing vuvuzelas. Despite the excitement, no candidate has officially claimed victory yet, with final provisional results expected by Tuesday.
The election has been described as unusual, with widespread emotions and pent-up tensions being released due to the political turmoil in recent years. Several notable candidates, including Anta Babacar Ngom, have congratulated Faye on his performance in the election. However, the final outcome is still uncertain, as it is unclear how many polling stations have been counted so far. A second round of voting will only occur if no candidate secures the required majority to prevent a run-off. Overall, the Senegalese election marks a significant moment in the country’s political history, with millions participating in the democratic process amidst ongoing challenges and uncertainties.
