Senegal’s parliamentary elections have concluded, with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye seeking a strong majority to fulfill his promises of ambitious reforms that propelled him to power eight months ago.
Over seven million out of the country’s 17 million citizens were eligible to cast their votes on Sunday to elect members of the 165-seat National Assembly for a five-year term. Polling stations opened at 8am (08:00 GMT) and closed at 6pm (18:00 GMT). Initial results are anticipated by Monday morning, with the final tally expected later in the week.
Faye’s victory in March was based on commitments to economic revitalization, social equity, and anti-corruption efforts – instilling hope in a predominantly young population grappling with high inflation and widespread joblessness. He dissolved the National Assembly in September.
Following his win, Faye appointed his outspoken mentor Ousmane Sonko as prime minister after Sonko was disqualified from running for president due to defamation charges against him.
The duo advocated for a progressive pan-African agenda – vowing to broaden political and economic alliances, reassess hydrocarbon and fishing agreements, and reclaim Senegal’s sovereignty which they claimed had been “sold off internationally”.
An opposition-controlled parliament hindered the government’s initial months in office, prompting Faye to dissolve it in September and call for snap elections as soon as legally permissible.
Scholars note that Senegalese voters typically reaffirm their presidential choice during parliamentary polls, making the ruling Pastef party the frontrunner for victory.
Earlier this year saw Senegal experience its worst unrest in decades leading up to the presidential election. Former President Macky Sall postponed the originally scheduled February vote causing turmoil within the nation. This delay resulted in violent protests along with resistance from the country’s highest court.
The presidential election finally took place on March 24,…
Source from www.aljazeera.com