Photo Credit: George Lamine Diop/Twitter
Polls have officially opened across Senegal in an election
to choose the country’s next leader as Macky Sall’s reign comes to an end on
April 2.
The election, initially scheduled for February 25 was postponed
by the President Sall just a day before campaigns kick start on February 3.
This unilateral move by the incumbent was reversed
by the country’s Constitutional Council, causing the election to be held today instead
of in June and December, which were dates proposed by the government.
In today’s vote, some 7.3 million Senegalese are expected to
exercise their franchise in over, 15,000 polling stations across Senegal and in
51 countries abroad.
Polls opened at 8am local time and will close at 6pm, after
which counting and tabulation of results will begin.
A crowded field of 19 presidential candidates including only
one woman are contesting in this election which is the largest number of
candidates the West African country has ever seen.
The incumbent, Macky Sall, is not on the ballot which is
also a first in Senegal’s history. His chosen successor, Prime Minister Amadou
Ba and Bassirou Diomaye Faye who is backed by firebrand opposition leader
Osmane Sonko are considered the front runners in this election even though
analysts believe the election can go for a second round.
Other leading candidates in the race include former Dakar
mayor, Khalifa Sall, former Prime Ministers Idrissa Seck and Mahammed Abdallah
Dionne and Aly Ngouille Ndiaye.
The rest are Anta Babacar Ngom who is the only female
candidate, Boubacar Camara, Aliou Mamadou Dia, Mamadou Lamine Diallo, El Had’i
Mamadou Diao, Cheikh Tidiane Dieye, Dethie Fall, Papa Djibril Fall, El Hadji
Malick Gakou, Serigne Mboup, Daouda Ndiaye, Thierno Alassane Sall and Habib Sy.
The results of the election are expected to announced latest
by March 29. To be declared winner, a candidate must obtain more than 50% of
the votes.
Follow the African
Elections Project on Facebook and Twitter @Africanelection for more updates.