Senegal: President Macky Sall justifies failed bid to shift election despite controversies

Ahead of the Sunday elections in Senegal, President Mackey Sall has declared that he had no regrets over his failed moves to delay the poll until December, which later led to widespread protests.

Mr Sall explained in an interview with the BBC that the decision to postpone the vote was not made unilaterally, but was motivated by electoral concerns highlighted by members of parliament.

The leader of the West African nation stressed that all the actions that have been taken have been within the framework of the law and regulations of Senegal.

Mr Sall’s moves to postpone the elections, which led to violent clashes and political apprehension across the country, were eventually overturned by the country’s top court.

The polls will be held on Sunday after a failed attempt to move them to December.

Opposition politicians and civil rights groups have accused the president of trying to extend his hold on power.

However, Mr Sall denied the allegation while adding that he will not stay in power for longer days, even when no clear winner emerges on Sunday.

He also denied that the legal trials against top opposition candidates, including Ousmane Sonko and his party’s presidential candidate, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who were recently released from prison under a presidential amnesty, were politically motivated.

The tenure of the incumbent president ends after the election having served two terms in office as constitutionally slated.