Senegalese president postpones February 25 election

The much anticipated presidential election in Senegal has been postponed indefinitely, sparking criticism among presidential candidates. President Macky Sall announced the postponement of the poll, citing the unfair decision to leave out some candidates. Meanwhile the regional ECOWAS bloc has called for calm while calling for the poll to be held as soon as possible…

President Macky Sall of Senegal has postponed the election that was billed to take place on February 25 in response to dozens of candidates being barred from standing.

No date has been set for the poll but the two-term president has reiterated his commitment that he would not be seeking re-election.

Mr Sall explained that troubled conditions of leaving out some contestants could “gravely hurt” the voting process.

He added that he would start “an open national dialogue… to create the conditions for a free, transparent and inclusive election in a peaceful and reconciled Senegal”.

One of the main oppositions in the election, Khalifa Sall, who was a former mayor of Dakar, the capital, described the postponement as a constitutional coup.

He also called for protest as his party vowed to drag the Senegalese authorities to court.

Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) expressed its worries over the situation.

It also urged “the competent authorities to expedite the various processes,” in order to set a new date for the poll.

Recall that several candidates were left out of the poll including the popular opposition, Ousmane Sonko who has been facing legal trials.

Critics have faulted the government for being selective in its election guidelines for candidates. The government has since denied this.