Senegalese Court Okays Feb 25 Elections Against President Macky Sall’s Wish

Afimag.com –

President Macky Sall’s hope to postpone Senegalese presidential elections hit the rock as the Supreme court ruled against his decision to delay the Country’s election.

The court maintained that the decision to postpone Senegal’s February 25th elections is contrary to the constitution.

The court further annulled President Macky Sall’s decree and a bill passed by parliament to postpone the election to December.

President Sall had, earlier, said he would shift the election because of concerns over the eligibility of opposition candidates.

His decision was supported by 105 out of the 165 MPs after a debate which saw police remove some opposition MPs from the chamber.

A six-month postponement was originally proposed, but a last-minute amendment extended it to 10 months, meaning a new election date of 15 December.

A candidate and a former mayor of the capital Dakar, Khalifa Sall had described the delay a constitutional coup.

Another Candidate, Thierno Alassane Sall also called the decisions a “high treason”.

Most candidates have not been campaigning since President Sall issued his 3 February decree, hours before campaigns were meant to kick off.

Mr Sall is yet to react to the ruling. His second term of office expires 2nd of April.