Senegal goes to polls without major opposition
May 28, 2007
afrol News, 15 May - Senegalese
voters are expected to return to the polls to elect their lawmakers on
3 June. But the polls will go on without the country’s major opposition
parties who are still crying foul over the conduct of the 25 February
Presidential polls, which ushered in the incumbent President Abdoulaye
Wade to power with over 55 percent of the valid votes.
Parties
of the Idrissa Seck, Ousmane Tanor Dieng and Moustapha Niasse, have
been campaigning for boycott of the polls. Mr Seck, the former Prime
Minister, ranked second in the Presidential polls while Mr Dieng who
heads the former ruling Parti Socialiste third.
While the core of the opposition complained of voter irregularities
during the last President polls, international observers maintained
that they were free and fair.
Official campaign for the June elections kicked off at the weekend. But
it is still unclear whether the elections will take place as planned
because the boycotting opposition filed an official complaint with the
State Council.
Opposition parties said Mr Wade’s failure to change the electoral
process – revision of voter list and creation of an independent
structure that replaces the electoral commission whose officials are
appointed by the President. They also campaigned for the sacking of
Ousmane Ngom, the Interior Minister.
Over 4,000 candidates, including those from 14 opposition parties are
fighting for 150 seats. The ruling party of Mr Wade is expected to
sweep the polls with an overwhelming majority. After casting his vote
on 25 February, President Wade told the press, “door dorat”, Wollof
words meaning “I will win and win”. He was confident of winning both
the Presidential and legislative elections.
Senegal is undoubtedly one of African countries endowed with several
years of uninterrupted democracy. Though it finds itself in a volatile
region, Senegal is yet to experience coups or countercoups.
By staff writer
© afrol News
Comments
Got something to say?
