Thought I'd write a quick update on the current political happenings in Senegal, given that it is Election Day. As many of you may have read about, this year has been relatively unstable for Sénégal, a country which has a longstanding history of peaceful democratic governance since its independence from France in 1960. However, this is an election year, and the current President, Mr. Abdoulaye Wade, made a series of unpopular political decisions beginning in June that have led to mass protests throughout the country, particularly within the past couple months as Election Day has gotten closer. Much of the unrest stems from Wade's decision to run for a third term, despite a law that he, himself, set in place to limit the Presidency to two terms. He claims that because this law was passed during his first term in office, he's entitled to run for yet another term. Given continuing allegations of corruption and mismanagement of his presidential power, many people are against Wade being allowed to run at all.
So it is in this climate that Senegal goes to the polls today. The country has a two-round election system, where a candidate needs to win a majority of votes (50% or more) in the first round; otherwise the two candidates with the top number of votes continue on for a second-round run-off. The first round took place February 26th, with incumbent Wade receiving 35% of the votes and challenger Macky Sall, a former member of Wade's party Parti Democratique Sénégalais, receiving 26% of the votes.
Its about 7:40 here and the polls are reported to close around 8:00pm. Early estimates seem to show Macky in the lead, however, these reports are not verified and official results will not be available until later on this week. So far, the day has been peaceful, with no real reports of protests or violence. Its sure, though, given Wade's unpopularity, that a victory for him tonight will continue to bring unrest and mass demonstrations.
I will try to post updates on the results as the week goes on.
So it is in this climate that Senegal goes to the polls today. The country has a two-round election system, where a candidate needs to win a majority of votes (50% or more) in the first round; otherwise the two candidates with the top number of votes continue on for a second-round run-off. The first round took place February 26th, with incumbent Wade receiving 35% of the votes and challenger Macky Sall, a former member of Wade's party Parti Democratique Sénégalais, receiving 26% of the votes.
Its about 7:40 here and the polls are reported to close around 8:00pm. Early estimates seem to show Macky in the lead, however, these reports are not verified and official results will not be available until later on this week. So far, the day has been peaceful, with no real reports of protests or violence. Its sure, though, given Wade's unpopularity, that a victory for him tonight will continue to bring unrest and mass demonstrations.
I will try to post updates on the results as the week goes on.
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