Another blow for Senegal opposition
May 28, 2007
afrol News, 24 May – It
was yet another striking blow for the Senegalese opposition yesterday
when the Council of State legalised the distribution of lawmakers in
the country, a move vehemently challenged by the opposition Parti
Socialiste (PS).
Until it was dislodged
from power by President Abdoulaye Wade’s ruling PDS in 2000, PS had
been ruling Senegal since independence in 1960. The party captured
third in the last Presidential polls.
Unsatisfied with the overruling of a decree on the distribution of
parliamentary seats per department ahead of the 3 June legislative
polls, angry PS officials filed an appeal, describing the act as
"unconsitutional."
In its petition, PS blamed President Wade for being unfair in
demarcating the country’s 36 districts. The party faulted the
demarcation, arguing that it has favoured the ruling party.
Senegalese government had earlier raised the number of legislative
seats from 120 to 150 earlier this year. This led to the postponement
of the legislative polls, resulting to a bitter confrontation between
striking opposition and police in last January.
Senegalese electoral commission would have been legally mandated to
postpone the 3 June elections had the council ruled in favour of the
opposition.
The council had earlier responded positively to the party’s queries
against the distribution of parliamentary seats. However, the
constitutional court would not agree with PS on its appeal on the
demography issue.
PS is among 15 opposition parties that insisted that unless they hold
talks with President Wade concerning the numerous irregularities in the
February Presidential poll, they would resort to a boycott.
Following President Wade’s refusal to give them audience, the 15
parties did not only boycott the polls, but they have since then been
asking their Senegalese in general to avoid being part of what they
call “assassination of democracy.”
The 25 February polls had been endorsed as free, fair and transparent
by international observers. And the opposition’s attempts to annul the
results also bite the dust.
Despite a boycott by major opposition parties, 15 political parties and
coalitions will be battling for Senegal’s 150 legislative seats.
By staff writer
© afrol News
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