Senegal has set Sunday, March 24, 2024, as her election date.
Senegalese President, Macky Sall made this disclosure on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, via a statement addressed to members of the public.
“The President of the Republic informed the Council of Ministers that the date of the presidential election has been set for Sunday, March 24, 2024,” the statement read.
The election was initially slated for Monday, February 25, but Sall postponed it, sparking protests across the West African country, with angry youth burning tires in the streets in protest.
The oppositions and protesters vehemently rejected the postponement decision. They labeled it as “an institutional coup,” asserting that it would prolong Sall’s tenure beyond constitutional limits. Consequently, internet services were disconnected nationwide.
In February, the Senegalese constitutional council, tasked with vetting presidential candidates, deemed the election delay “illegal.” A communique from the council of ministers emphasized the imperative of maintaining Sall’s mandate within constitutional bounds, regardless of political circumstances or objectives.
After the transmission on the same day to the constitutional council of a referral, for opinion, on the conclusions, recommendations and proposals of the national dialogue relating to: (i) the setting of the date of the presidential election; (ii) the possible examination of candidacies for the presidential election; (iii) the arrangements to be taken upon the expiry of the mandate of the president of the Republic, on April 2, 2024, the statement reads.
The president of the Republic informed the council of ministers of the setting of the date of the presidential election for Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Meet Senegal presidential candidates
Senegal prepares for its upcoming elections, marking the departure of Sall, who opted not to seek a third term. This historic election sees the incumbent absent from the ballot for the first time in the nation’s history.
Among the 19 candidates cleared by Senegal’s constitutional council to contest, Prime Minister Amadou Ba, appointed by Sall and relieved of his duties ahead of campaigning, emerges as a notable contender.
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To secure victory without a runoff, a candidate must garner over 50% of the vote. With campaigning set to commence in a few weeks, the political scene is now poised for dynamic shifts.
Amadou Ba
At 62 years old, Ba, a former economy and foreign minister, assumed the position of prime minister in September 2022. Before embarking on his political journey, he served in the taxation directorate.
Ba was selected by President Sall to represent the ruling Benno Bokk Yakaar (BBY) coalition after an extensive party-wide consultation process. Sall emphasized Ba’s capacity to unify the coalition, underscoring his potential as a unifying figure for the party.
Idrissa Seck
Idrissa Seck, aged 64, is a seasoned politician who served as prime minister from 2002 to 2004 in the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) under former President Abdoulaye Wade. Dismissed over embezzlement allegations, Seck faced imprisonment before his case was ultimately dismissed.
In 2006, he established his own political party and contested against Wade in 2007, securing the second position. Despite running again in 2012, Seck fell short of reaching the second round.
During the 2019 presidential race, Seck garnered 21% of the vote, clinching the second spot. Consequently, his Rewmi party joined President Sall’s ruling BBY coalition. From November 2020 to April 2023, Seck served as the head of the Economic, Social, and Environmental Council.
Aly Ngouille Ndiaye
Ndiaye, aged 59, previously held a close alliance with President Sall and held a prominent position within the BBY coalition. However, he chose to depart from the coalition and tendered his resignation as a minister. Shortly after Ba’s selection as the BBY candidate, Ndiaye launched his independent bid for office.
In addition to his political pursuits, Ndiaye also serves as the mayor of Linguere. With a professional background in civil engineering and previous experience as a bank executive, he has held ministerial positions in energy, interior, and agriculture portfolios.
