SENEGAL’S parliament voted on Monday to proceed with the postponed presidential election, slated for December 15, amidst widespread public outcry and opposition protests. The decision comes after President Macky Sall’s unprecedented announcement of the postponement on Saturday, plunging the West African nation into uncharted constitutional waters and raising concerns about its democratic stability in a region marked by coups.
‘Senegal has been known as a country with a strong democracy but this is no longer the case,’ lamented a protester named Dame, expressing worries about potential authoritarianism and the fairness of the election. “The only thing we want is a fair election,” he added.
Riot police deployed tear gas to disperse protests outside parliament as lawmakers deliberated on the bill. Originally proposing to reschedule the February 25 vote to August 25 and extend Sall’s tenure until his successor’s instalment, the bill was later amended to set the election date even later, on December 15, and subsequently passed by 105 MPs in the 165-seat Assembly.
‘What you are doing is not democratic, it’s not republican,’ declared opposition member Guy Marius Sagna, criticizing the parliamentary proceedings.
The last-minute amendment to postpone the election to December instead of August is expected to spark further opposition backlash and heighten the risk of violent protests, mirroring previous demonstrations over the past three years, partly fuelled by concerns of Sall’s alleged authoritarianism.
‘The postponement of the presidential election is deeply disturbing,’ remarked a Treasury official, echoing concerns over the potential erosion of democratic norms.
Opposition lawmakers, including Sagna, expressed dissent during the parliamentary session, disrupting proceedings and emphasising concerns over democratic principles. Security forces intervened to restore order, allowing the vote to proceed.
Elsewhere, the postponement faced legal challenges, with at least three presidential candidates submitting legal petitions against the delay. Additionally, civil society groups and opposition parties voiced vehement opposition, labelling the move as an ‘institutional coup’ and accusing Sall of attempting to prolong his stay in power indefinitely.
‘The only thing we want is a fair election,’ reiterated Dame, underscoring the public’s demand for democratic integrity amidst the political turmoil.
As Senegal navigates this turbulent period, the parliamentary decision to proceed with the postponed election underscores the challenges ahead and the imperative of safeguarding democratic processes amidst public unrest and international scrutiny.