Senegalese voters are casting their votes after outgoing President Macky Sall tried to postpone elections, plunging Senegal into months of political crisis.
This is the day that many people have been waiting for, including Jules Rolland Pascal Diatta. He was the first to cast his vote in the school’s voting room number 7, about 30 minutes’ drive from the center of Dakar. He arrived two and a half hours before voting officially began.
“I found that they were actually on time, opening the door at 8am on time. This is a very important election for me and everyone here. I like my candidate because he has a solid and clear plan, I think Senegal can be saved,” he said.
He said he voted for the coalition led by Basilu Diomaye Faye.
Faye, a former tax inspector, is backed by Ousmane Sonko, seen as the main challenger to outgoing President Macky Sall. Sonko is barred from running in this year’s election over a previous defamation conviction. Both Faye and Sonko were recently released from prison.
Another voter, Ahmadou Khadim Lo, wants job creation to be a top priority for the next leader.
“Seventy-five percent of Senegal’s population are young people, many of whom have diplomas but cannot find jobs,” he said.
Khady Diagne echoed this sentiment when she spoke to us before the vote.
“Living conditions here are difficult. The health care system is poor, there are no jobs, and I could spend an entire year telling you about all the problems our country faces,” she said.
In photos: Senegal holds long-delayed presidential election
Some 17 candidates are vying for the top job, including former Prime Minister Amadou Ba, who is backed by Saar.
Seynabou Faye told us she hopes to continue the policies of the current regime.
“I just love McGee Sole. He’s done more than any president before him. He’s built bridges, bus rapid transit, stadiums and roads. I’d like to see Amadou Ba win so he Just get involved in some of Sall’s unfinished projects,” Faye said.
Ndoumbe Gueye is the person in charge of polling room 7 of the polling station near Scat Urbam. She explained the voting process.
“When a voter comes in, he or she first shows me their national ID card,” she said. “My team verifies that the person is registered and that this is the correct place for them to vote.” They can then choose five of the 19 candidates, pick up an envelope, and head to the polls. Their final selection can be inserted into the envelope and submitted.When they were done, they came back to us and dipped their little fingers into the ink [to show they’ve voted]”.
Observers from a number of organizations were also present, including some from the European Union, which has 100 observers stationed across the country. Team leader Malin Bjork, who arrived in early January, held a press conference on Sunday morning.
“We observed that voting started on time and sometimes there were long queues, which shows people’s enthusiasm and interest in voting. Materials are in place and all voting centers are complying with the rules.” Bjork said.
Senegal was seen as a stable democracy plagued by coups until recently when President Sall tried unsuccessfully to delay last month’s elections by 10 months. While Sall has said he will not seek a third term, his critics accuse him of wanting to stay in power.
Regardless of who wins, today’s election may be an opportunity to remove some of these uncertainties.
