After the decision, demonstrations started again in the streets of Senegal Macky Salthe president of the country, postpone the elections before you die It is planned to be held on February 25. The country’s leader has not suggested any alternative date for holding the elections for now, and the country is heading towards an uncertain scenario. Opposition blames Sall “constitutional coup”. The main reason for the postponement of the elections is the open disagreement between the Turkish Grand National Assembly and the Constitutional Council after the publication of the controversial list. candidates and criticism irregularities of the opposition.
“I will launch an open national dialogue to create the conditions for free, transparent and inclusive elections,” Sall argued in a televised speech on Saturday. The President once again assured no intention to join to the elections. This decision caused discomfort among the opposition, who saw a maneuver by the leader behind the announcement. remain in the presidency. His term officially ends at the beginning of April, but the opposition fears he could extend parliament, although there is no election date.
The decision created tension again political situation from the country. This Sunday, hundreds of people demonstrated against the country’s president. Protests dispersed tear gas and strong distribution police. According to various media outlets such as France 24, one of the presidential candidates said, Anta Babacar Ngomwas arrested for participating in the mobilization. This Monday, the police once again dispersed a group of protesters who were in front of the National Assembly, where the law on postponing the election was being discussed today.
State Internet access has been interrupted According to the newspaper ‘Jeune Afrique’ and other media in Dakar, the circulation of motorcycles was banned in the capital throughout the day. Various organizations such as African Union or the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) expressed their concerns and requested that the necessary processes be accelerated so that the vote can be held as soon as possible.
Debate over electoral lists
The current crisis began after the publication of the final candidate lists for the elections, which, according to some parties, included a candidate on this list. dual nationality, Senegalese and French. The constitution states that candidates can only hold Senegalese citizenship. Last week, the majority of MPs in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, with the approval of the candidates, voted to establish a commission that will investigate and clarify what happened.
However, these elections have already been involved in controversy due to the candidates. rejected. The final lists included only 20 of the 93 people who initially submitted themselves. Among those unable to attend is the country’s chief rival. Ousmane SonkoHe has been in prison since last summer in various open criminal proceedings and on charges such as “corrupting the youth” or inciting protests in Dakar last June.
Another important name in the political scene who is left out of the election race is Karim Wade Because, according to the Constitutional Council, he had dual citizenship and had not given up his French passport in time. As a matter of fact, Wade was one of those who accused two members of the Constitutional Council of “corruption” and criticized his exclusion. “It is unacceptable that the Constitutional Council is used to exclude a candidate who has renounced his dual citizenship and allows other candidates with dual citizenship to compete,” Wade said in a statement on social networks after demanding the postponement of the elections. said.Correcting serious deficiencies in the election system“.