Observers stated turnout among the many greater than 7 million registered voters gave the impression to be excessive within the morning, though extra exact figures could be out there later Sunday. Babacar Gueye, who heads Senegal’s civil society community of observers, stated participation was necessary to present the election legitimacy.
“On the opening of polling stations at present, I’ve by no means up to now 15 years seen so many individuals going to vote,” he advised Related Press.
Within the run-up to Sunday’s election, opposition chief Ousmane Sonko was launched from jail final week, triggering jubilant celebrations on the streets of Dakar and renewed pleasure concerning the contest.
Sonko was barred from operating because of a previous conviction for defamation, and is backing his key ally Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who was additionally free of jail final week.
Khodia Ndiayes, a 52 year-old cook dinner, stated she picked Faye on the poll as a result of she needed Sonko to win.
“I’m proud to have voted,” she stated. “We’d like a brand new president as a result of life is dear, the financial system is dangerous and we want higher faculties.”
On the forefront of issues for a lot of Senegalese voters is the financial system, which has been squeezed by excessive meals and power costs partly pushed by the conflict in Ukraine.
Nearly a 3rd of Senegal’s youth are unemployed, based on the impartial researcher Afrobarometer, driving hundreds to danger their lives on harmful journeys seeking jobs within the West.
“Younger folks have masters levels however they’re promoting espresso on the facet of the road or are bike taxi drivers, there’s no work,” stated Cheikh Omar Sy, 60, who works for a global growth company in Dakar.
Senegal has stood aside in a area the place the army has seized energy from civilian governments in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. The election is about to be the nation’s fourth democratic switch of energy because it gained independence from France in 1960.
Regardless of Senegal’s document, the electoral course of over the previous 12 months has been marred by violence and unrest, and tons of of opposition protesters have been jailed. There are 19 candidates within the race, together with one girl, the very best quantity within the nation’s historical past.
Mame Diarra Juey, a 29-year-old administrator, stated she was arrested at a protest after police discovered a bracelet that confirmed her membership within the now-dissolved occasion led by Sonko. She spent a month in jail and remains to be on provisional launch.
Senegal President Macky Sall guidelines out re-election bid after violent unrest
Senegal President Macky Sall guidelines out re-election bid after violent unrest
“It actually impacted me however I realised there’s a big want to vary the system and the regime. Now I’m elevating consciousness in my group on the significance of voting,” she stated.
Analysts say no candidate is predicted to win greater than 50 per cent of the vote, which implies a run-off is probably going.
Together with Faye, aspirants embrace Amadou Ba, a former prime minister, Khalifa Sall, a former mayor of Dakar unrelated to the president, and Idrissa Seck, a former prime minister from the early 2000s who was the runner up within the 2019 presidential race.
“The authorities had thought that younger folks wouldn’t vote, however there’s a robust presence. Ladies are additionally current. It’s going to be a convincing victory,” Sonko stated on his YouTube channel, predicting a victory for Faye.
Two candidates dropped out final week to again Faye, an indication of the beginning of coalition-building that might decide the end result of the race, based on analysts.
In Fatick, a city about 167km (104 miles) from the capital, queues of principally ladies and aged folks shaped on the sandy floor exterior polling stations. The military was charged with securing the election exterior the capital, and voters had their fingers stained with crimson ink to make sure nobody votes greater than as soon as.
“I’ve accomplished my obligation and voted. I’m proud to have voted,” stated Fodé Ndour, 70, who walked with a cane.