Delayed Senegal Presidential Election 2024 Finally Kicks Off

Africa | Senegal March 24, 2024

Senegal Presidential Election 2024 has finally kicked off on March 24, 2024, after a 4-weeks delay. The election was scheduled for February 25, 2024, but was postponed indefinitely by the incumbent President Macky Sall on February 3, 2024. However, the postponement was repealed by the country's Consititution Council that ordered the election to held as soon as possible.

Reportedly, 19 presidential nominees are contesting in the presidential election in Senegal. However, the battle at the ballot place for the country's top political position is expected to be mainly between Amadou Ba of the ruling party APR, and Bassirou Diomaye Faye of the main opposition party PASTEF, say some reports. Bassirou Diomaye Faye is supported by Ousmane Sonko who is the leader of PASTEF but banned from running in the election.

During the election campaign, the ruling party presidential nominee Amadou Ba and the main opposition presidential nominee Bassirou Diomaye Faye are said to have expressed very opposing visions for Senegal.

On the one hand, Amadou Ba (photo below), is said to have promised stability hence probably implying maintenance of the status quo in the ECOWAS nation.

On the other hand, Bassirou Diomaye Faye (photo below), reportedly promised change or more precisely what he said radical reforms that will include renegotiation of the country's mining, energy, and defence contracts with foreign nations, to ensure win-win situation in such contracts.

Overall, the main issues in Senegal Presidential Election 2024 are said to be centred around corruption, poverty despite Senegal been one of Africa's fastest economies, inequality, unemployment said to be at over 20% among young people, and recent government clapdown on oppostion.

The presidential nominee who takes home more that 50% of the vote becomes Senegal's next president. Otherwise, there will be a runoff election, according to the country's Constitution.

_______________________

© 2015 - 2024 Africauptodate. All Rights Reserved