Lawmakers set for debate on controversial election postponement as protests rock Senegal

The decision of President Macky Sall of Senegal to postpone the highly anticipated February poll has triggered protests in the country.

Macky Sall declared on Saturday that the election will be postponed due to a dispute over candidate eligibility, prompting a surge of criticism from opposition leaders and l concerns from the international community.

The announcement sparked protests on Sunday, with security officers firing tear gas to disperse hundreds of people in the capital, Dakar.

According to reports, a local privately owned TV station was cut off while broadcasting the protest live.

Former Prime Minister Aminata Touré and Anta Babacar Ngom, who is one of the presidential candidates in the postponed election, were arrested by the police.

The opposition described the postponement of the election as a constitutional coup despite President Macky Sall’s pledge not to run for another term.

Senegalese lawmakers are expected to examine a request to postpone the presidential election set for later this month later on Monday.

They are expected to debate a proposal to hold the presidential election on 25 August and keep Mr Sall in government until a new president is elected.

The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) and the African Union have expressed worries over the situation in Senegal.

ECOWAS urged “the competent authorities to expedite the various processes,” 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.

Karim Wade, the son of a former president, is another prominent candidate who failed to make the final list. He was prevented from the poll due to his dual citizenship.

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