Senegal: President Macky Sall declares fresh date for presidential poll after controversial postponement

The Senegalese government has declared that the country’s presidential poll will take place on March 24.

A statement by the Council of Ministers confirmed that “The President of the Republic informed the Council of Ministers that the date of the presidential election had been set for Sunday 24 March.”

The announcement comes after President Macky Sall postponed the poll last month, resulting in nationwide demonstrations.

The president, whose term ends on April 2, has stated that he does not want to run for a third term in office.

Despite his pledge, his opponents accused him of staging a constitutional coup by planning to extend his stay in office.

Before Wednesday’s announcement, the incumbent leader attempted to move the planned February 25 election to December, causing deadly rioting on the streets.

However, the Constitutional Council eventually ruled that the presidential election had to take place as previously agreed upon.

With the final election day announced, the country’s electoral umpire, which now has less than three weeks to prepare for the crucial vote, has not issued a public statement on the new date.

Senegal has long been regarded as one of the most stable democracies in Africa.

It is the only country in mainland West Africa that has never had a military coup, with other neighbours slipping into the hands of military juntas.