Senegal’s President Elected to 2nd Term by Wide Edge
March 2, 2007 | Leave a Comment
By LYDIA POLGREEN
Published: March 2, 2007
DAKAR, Senegal, March 1 — President Abdoulaye Wade easily won a second term, electoral officials in Senegal announced Thursday, beating his 14 opponents in the first round of voting with nearly 56 percent of the 3.4 million votes cast in Sunday’s election.
It was a decisive victory for the president, who won despite the electorate’s deep malaise over Senegal’s economy, allegations about corruption and mismanagement in his administration and concerns that at 80, Mr. Wade was simply too old to serve another term. The presidential term, which was seven years, has been shortened to five years.
His popularity was big enough to win outright, averting a runoff. His nearest rival, a former ally and prime minister, Idrissa Seck, had slightly less than 15 percent of the vote, and the candidate of the Socialist Party, which ruled Senegal for 40 years until Mr. Wade took office in 2000, won just 14 percent.
“The Senegalese people have spoken,” Mr. Wade said in a news conference here late on Thursday. “Their future is now.”
But he spent the better part of an hour lambasting the news media and his opponents. He accused the press of being too negative about his record and warned that several of his fellow candidates might soon find themselves being prosecuted for corruption and other offenses, saying the government had compiled files on them.
“The law is harsh, but it is the law,” he declared.
Because the government banned opinion polls before the vote, it was difficult to gauge in advance Mr. Wade’s popularity or the challenge posed by his opponents.
Senegal is one of the most stable countries in West Africa, a longtime democracy that has never experienced a military coup and has largely avoided the grim ethnic and religious conflicts that have engulfed its neighbors. Elections are usually genteel affairs, but this campaign season has been marked by tension, accusations of fraud and even violence.
The country’s highest court must certify the results. Opposition parties have said they plan to mount legal challenges to the vote.
Observers from Ecowas, a regional trade alliance, declared that the vote had been free and fair, but opposition parties complained of improprieties. Some alleged that voter cards were denied to supporters of opposition candidates. The supposedly indelible ink used to mark the fingers of voters washed off easily, leading to accusations that supporters of Mr. Wade had been allowed to vote more than once.
Reporters Without Borders, an international organization that monitors freedom of the press, said in a report released last week that the state-owned media had heavily favored Mr. Wade in its coverage.
At the news conference, Mr. Wade dismissed charges of electoral fraud. “A more transparent election does not exist,” he said.
Mr. Wade was swept into office seven years ago largely because of the support of young people, who were mostly jobless and forgotten in the stagnant, managed economy of the Socialist Party. An economic liberal who had been an opposition party leader for decades, Mr. Wade promised to jump-start the economy with large-scale public works projects, like new highways, a second airport and a new capital city.
Mr. Wade was instrumental in the creation of Nepad, a good-government group of African countries that agreed to have their political and economic records scrutinized to promote better governing practices and encourage investment.
But unemployment has remained high, and many voters expressed frustration that economic growth in the country had not trickled down to the poor. Many of the promised projects only recently began, as the election approached.
Senegal’s Wade re-elected president
March 2, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Workers putting up posters of Abdoulaye Wade
March 01, 2007, 21:15
Abdoulaye Wade, the Senegalese president has easily won re-election to a second term with nearly 56 percent of votes in Sunday’s high-turnout election, according to provisional results announced today. The octogenarian president, known as "the hare" for his wily political cunning, won nearly four times as many votes as his nearest rival.
Cheikh Tidiane Diakhate, head of the National Vote Counting Commission, said that of 3 419 755 valid votes cast, Wade had received 1 910 368 or 55. 86 percent. Turnout was a high 70.5 percent.
Idrissa Seck, Wade’s estranged former prime minister came second, trailing with 14. 93 percent, followed by Ousmane Tanor Dieng of the Socialist Party, the main opposition, with 13. 57 percent. The results, which must still be reviewed and confirmed by the Constitutional Council, confirm figures released unofficially earlier this week.
In central Dakar’s Sandaga market, run largely by members of the fervently pro-Wade Mouride brotherhood, the reaction was muted. "If it had been the Socialists who had won, people would have been celebrating. But as Wade was already in place we are still in the same rhythm … so nothing has changed," said Malick Diouf (28) who sells televisions in the market.
Opposition to challenge results
Opposition parties, some of which say they have evidence of fraud and will challenge Wade’s victory, have three days to lodge objections to the results. Dieng’s campaign has said it had evidence of a plot to rig the vote, and on Tuesday displayed voter cards bearing the same name as proof that some people were able to vote twice in the election.
Other opposition parties have complained that supposedly indelible ink used to mark voters’ fingers to prevent multiple ballots in fact washed off.
Monitors from Ecowas, the West Africa’s regional organisation said the vote was sufficiently free and fair, although Sans Frontieres, the Paris-based media watchdog Reporters said state media gave Wade and his campaign overwhelming coverage. - Reuters.
Senegal’s Wade re-elected, warns opposition
March 2, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Fri Mar 2, 2007 8:32 AM GMT29
By Diadie Ba
DAKAR (Reuters) - Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade comfortably won a second term in Sunday’s election, results showed on Thursday, and he warned opposition leaders they could now face corruption probes suspended during the poll campaign.
The octogenarian president, who has ruled the West African state since 2000, won nearly 56 percent of votes and almost four times as many as his nearest rival.
Senegal’s National Vote Counting Commission said that of 3.4 million valid votes cast, Wade had received 1.9 million, or 55.9 percent. Turnout was a high 70.5 percent.
Wade’s estranged former Prime Minister Idrissa Seck, who he briefly jailed on corruption charges in 2005, came second with 14.9 percent. He was followed by Ousmane Tanor Dieng of the main opposition Socialist Party, with 13.6 percent.
"With my score, I don’t need anyone to govern: I am walking on clouds. However, I call on the opposition to consider what we can do together," Wade told a news conference in the presidential palace, lambasting the media for doubting him.
The results, which must be confirmed by the Constitutional Council, are in line with unofficial figures released this week.
Wade accused Seck of holding millions of dollars in bank accounts and suggested Tanor Dieng might be linked to corrupt fishing licences under the previous Socialist government.
While cautioning against any witch-hunt, Wade said: "Now justice must run its course."
Wade credited his easy victory to overwhelming support in rural areas. He said it would be his last term as president.
THREE DAYS TO APPEAL
Opposition parties, some of which say they have evidence of fraud and will challenge Wade’s victory, have three days to lodge objections to the results.
Dieng’s campaign has said it had evidence of a plot to rig the vote, and on Tuesday displayed voter cards bearing the same name as proof that some people were voted twice in the election.
Other opposition parties have complained that supposedly indelible ink used to mark voters’ fingers in fact washed off.
Monitors from West Africa’s regional organisation ECOWAS said the vote was sufficiently free and fair, although Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Sans Frontieres said state media gave Wade and his campaign overwhelming coverage.
Wade’s critics say he has failed to deliver on promises to improve living standards in the former French colony, most of whose nearly 12 million people live from farming and fishing.
They point to the drama of thousands of desperate young Senegalese who have been risking their lives in flimsy fishing boats to try to reach Europe via the Spanish Canary Islands.
Wade appealed to voters to repeat their choice in parliamentary elections in June.
"I congratulate those who voted for me and I ask them to give me a comfortable parliamentary majority to allow me to take all decisions without negotiation," Wade said, as a crowd of cheering supporters gathered outside the presidential palace.
In Dakar’s Sandaga market, run largely by members of the pro-Wade Mouride Islamic brotherhood, the reaction was muted.
"If it had been the Socialists who had won, people would have been celebrating. But as Wade was already in place we are still in the same rhythm … so nothing has changed," said Malick Diouf, 28, who sells televisions in the market.
Others welcomed the decision to give Wade more time.
"He has worked hard for the country, despite the fact that life here is hard. He has started to build things and he’s increased state salaries and pensions," said Adama Kane, 60, who sells cloth in Sandaga market.
Senegal: Wade Brims With Confidence
March 2, 2007 | Leave a Comment
FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
March 1, 2007
Posted to the web March 2, 2007
Baboucarr Ceesay
Dakar
OFFICIAL RESULTS PENDING
After casting his vote at point E, Dakar, Wade swaggered that there will be no second round. He said "I am optimistic and I think that I will win in the first round. I think so because there is a great mobilization being done. I hope that I will register success". Wade made these remarks in the presence of his son, Karim, and his wife, Viviane, as journalists from the national and international press jostled for photos and words from the tired looking candidate of Sopi 2007. He wore a grand boubou (light blue), the colour of the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS).
His supporters applauded him and chanted ‘Gorgui! Gorgui!’ (the old man, in wollof).
Some voters in Ngorr and Ouakam complained of being bared from voting despite holding valid voters’ cards. They said they were barred because their names were not found in the voters’ list. They said that they were disenfranchised.
Some polling stations in Dakar opened later than the prescribed time for the closure of polling (6pm). The electoral officers allowed the voters to continue voting. The huge voter turn out was responsible for the extension of the voting period.
Votes were counted on the spot and so far the provisional result reveals that Abdoulaye Wade scored more votes than the rest of the candidates in Dakar Plateau, Pikine, Mbao, Parcelles Assainies and the interior part of the country such as Kolda, Ziguinchor, Saint-Louis and the surroundings.
However, information transmitted from Italy to Dakar reveals that Wade has the upper hand in the polls. In Brescia, the first 3 polling stations whose results reached Senegal showed that Wade is leading with 866 votes out of the 1167 votes cast, out of 1787 registered voters, followed by Idrissa Seck who polled 144 votes, and the socialist candidate, Ousmane Tanor Dieng who got 57 votes. Reports, however, have it that Wade won in Turin, Bergamo, Bologna, Vicenza and Milan, always followed by Idrissa Seck and Ousmane Tanor Dieng.
In Bambay out of 75,435 registered voters, 50,895 cast their votes, out of which Abdoulaye Wade polled 33,000 votes, Abdoulaye Bathily 862, Mamadou Lamine Diallo 280, Robert Sagna 294, Cheikh Bamba Dieye 201, Mam Adama Geuye 147, Talla Sylla 153, Idrissa Seck 9031, Ousman Tanor Dieng 4111, Louis Jacques Senghor 136, Moustapha Niasse 1127, Modou Dia 74, Landing Savane 1222, Alioune Petit Mbaye 102 and Dodou Ndoye 153 votes.
According to the provisional results of the twelve areas Bambay, Diourbel, Gossas, Kolda, Linguerre, Ranerou, Kael, Matam, St. Louis, Kedougou, Oussouye and Ziguinchor, Wade has defeated his opponents throughout, leading with or securing 61.06% of the votes and is followed by the following candidates, Ousman Tanor Dieng with 10.25%, Idrissa Seck 9.62% Robert Sagna 6.06% and Mustapha Niasse 5.49%.
In a related development, sources close to the electoral commission said the final results for the Sunday 25th February, 2007 would be released officially not later than Friday 30th February 2007.
Supporters of Wade were seen in the city of Dakar with their Sopi T-shirts as if they are rehearsing for jubilation.
Landing Savane congratulated Wade and said he accepted the results while Talla Sylla said he did not dispute the results. Abdoulaye Bathiley, on his part, stated that the result of the election is not a reflection of the state of mind of the Senegalese people and did not show the real weight of his Coalition Jubanti Senegal.
Senegal: Wanep Declares Election Free And Fair
March 2, 2007 | Leave a Comment
FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
March 1, 2007
Posted to the web March 2, 2007
The West Africa Network of Peace Building (WANEP) Gambia has declared the recently concluded Senegalese presidential elections as free, fair and transparent. This is contained in a preliminary report it issued on 25th February in which it states: "Following our observations in a number of polling stations, and our assessment of the general environment and the media reports we have monitored, we have reached the conclusion that the 25th February 2007 Presidential Elections in Senegal were free, fair and transparent."
According to the statement, the final results of the election reflect the true wish of the people. "We wish to also urge the people and the leaders and political parties as well as the civil society of Senegal to continue to nurture a solid democratic culture and human rights in order to ensure sustainable peace and development," the report concluded.
The report also expressed concerns, particularly the late start of the elections. It noted that in order to avoid the need to extend the voting period, it is important to ensure that polling starts at the stated time.
The report talks about many voters who have not received their voters’ cards on time, and some even up to the final moments of the closing of polls. It described this to be grossly unfair and undemocratic as it denied citizens the right and ability to exercise their civic responsibilities.
It went on to note that the voting process was also slow which they found to be attributable to the fact that there were many candidates and the process of voting was complex. In a way it requires some form of literacy or intense voter education. WANEP thus recommends that the voting process be reviewed in order to make it less complex and easy to understand so as to make the process smooth.
West Africa Network for Peace building (WANEP) Gambia is a chapter of the sub-regional organisation aimed at promoting peace, human rights and good governance and sustainable development.
Senegal: Senegalese High Commissioner On the Presidential Election
March 2, 2007 | Leave a Comment
FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
March 1, 2007
Posted to the web March 2, 2007
The Senegalese High Commissioner to the Gambia, Momodou Fall, has informed journalists that President Abdoulaye Wade has polled 4533 votes out of the total number of 6500 votes cast by the Senegalese electorate in the Gambia.
Fall made this statement at a press conference held at his residence in Banjul. Briefing journalists, Fall said the elections were organised by the state and supervised by "Commission Electorale Nationale Autonome" (CENA). He said the High Commissioner is mandated to reveal the provisional results. He noted that there is an amendment to the Senegalese Constitution in 1992, and this is why the Senegalese Supreme Court is no longer responsible for the validation of election results.
Africa 2007
He said it is the constitutional council that is responsible for the validation of election results. He noted that it is the constitutional council that will validate the results of the Presidential elections. He noted that the Senegalese Constitution allows Senegalese living abroad to vote in elections.
According to him, the elections were held in a peaceful atmosphere. He said the Gambia government gave them authority to hold elections in the country.
"The government has to grant us permission to hold elections in the Gambia. The government provided us with security. The elections were held in 17 polling centres, (in 70 polling stations). Six thousand and five hundred people voted in the Gambia, and out of this number, 4533 people voted for Abdoulaye Wade. This figure represents about 70% of the total number of votes cast. Abdoulaye Wade won in 68 polling stations.
Tanor Jeng won in 2 polling stations, he remarked.
He said no incidence was reported throughout the elections. He said Abdoulaye Wade did not win in any of the polling stations in the Gambia in the year 2000. He said all the actors have agreed that the elections were transparent.
Democracy in Dakar: Episode 3 - Election Day
March 1, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Democracy in Dakar, Episode 3: Election Day
Sunday, February 25, 2007 - Election Day in Senegal, West Africa. Episode 3 takes place on election day and follows the group Sen Kumpe as they head to the voting station in their neighborhood Medina in Dakar to vote.
The episode continues in the immediate aftermath of the election, as people are sensing that Abdoulaye Wade may have won a slim majority in the election and avoided a run-off election.
Sen Kumpa close this episode with their track "Niawal"
Also featured are interviews with Sen Kumpa, Serigne Ndiaye, Matador (Wa BMG 44), Waa Complex Culture, and Leopold Senghor; as well as performances by: Matador, Sen Kumpa, Baat Sen, Waa Complex Culture, and Leopold Senghor.
Senegal: Robert Sagna On His Coalition
March 1, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Taku Defarat
Holding
his final meeting in his stronghold, Ziguinchor, Robert Sagna
explaining what motivates him to contest as a President candidate
outlined his main concerns for prevailing peace in Casamance. The
candidate of Coalition Takku Defarat Senegal reiterated that one of his
major concerns is the restoration of peace in Casamance.
He
told the Casamançais to regard themselves as Senegalese, to claim for
the same rights and have the same duties. He said if elected, he will
devote an invaluable time to the Casamance which suffered so much and
in need of peace. Robert Sagna promised to place the Casamançaise in
the topmost of his agenda. Robert Sagna said he counts on all
Casamançais whose conjugation of their efforts will result in peace. He
also count on men and women of Casamance to achieve this goal of the
rehabilitation of peace for peace and prosperous Senegal. The solution,
according to him, is to find a solution to the problem so that
Casamance finds its lasting peace. He expressed his confidence that
Takku defarat Senegal will bring better changes in Senegal, a change
that will bring about justice.
Dilating on the value of justice, Robert Sagna
said his party will work for the re-establishment of the values of
justice in Senegal as left by President Léopold Sédar Senghor. He said
under his administration as head of the coalition Takku defarat
Senegal, they aim at a system where the civil servants will not be
victims of exclusion. He said the drivers, the orderlies and the poor
under his administration would be men and women of worth and respected
on the soil of Senegal, a country in which, he said he wishes also to
re-establish the values of solidarity, in accordance with the ideals
defended by social democracy.
Dieng challenges election results in Senegal
March 1, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Dakar - The candidate for Senegal’s main opposition party said on
Tuesday that he would contest election results showing President
Abdoulaye Wade had been re-elected in a first round of voting.
"We will not accept these results because we do not regard him as
having been elected by the Senegalese people," Aissata Tall Sall,
spokesperson for Socialist Party candidate Ousmane Tanor Dieng, told a
news conference.
She said the party had evidence some people had been able to vote more than once.
Senegal poll results ‘rejected’
March 1, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Two leading presidential candidates in Senegal say
they do not accept unofficial results that show incumbent Abdoulaye
Wade has won Sunday’s polls.
Partial results indicate that Mr Wade, 81, has more than
55% of the vote making a run-off unnecessary, Senegal’s official news
agency reports.
But Ousmane Tanor Dieng and Abdoulaye Bathily say there were irregularities.
Analysts say that it will be surprising if there is no second round, given the mood in the country before polling.
A candidate needs to gain more than 50% of the vote to avoid a second round.
A commission at the appeals court has until Friday to announce the official results.
Senegal, a predominately Muslim nation, is seen as a rare model of stable democracy in Africa.
Observers from regional body the Economic Community Of West African States have said the voting on Sunday was free and fair.
Suspicion
The BBC’s Tidiane Sy in the capital Dakar, says most Senegalese were expecting there to be a second round.
"We will not accept these results," Aissata Tall Sall, Mr Dieng’s spokeswoman, told a press conference.
 |
 These results do not reflect the feelings of the population  Abdoulaye Bathily
|
The Socialist Party leader Mr Dieng, who served under the previous president, Abdou Diouf, has been seen as a strong contender.
His party, which was in power for four decades prior to
Mr Wade’s victory in 2000, said some people had been allowed to vote
more than once.
"These results do not reflect the feelings of the
population which, in reality, expressed a massive rejection of
Abdoulaye Wade’s authority," AFP news agency quoted leftist leader Mr
Bathily as saying.
Voter turnout was high and long queues left some polling stations open late.
Events since Sunday have been somewhat chaotic, with a series of claims and counter-claims about the results.
Mr Wade, who is seeking a second term, has come under pressure in recent months over high rural unemployment.
Since his election he has fallen out with several of his
allies, some of whom were among the opponents challenging him on the
ballot papers.
Team-up
Mr Wade’s campaign manager has urged the president’s 14 opponents to concede defeat.
Observers say the voting was free and fair
|
But the other contenders say they will wait until official results are released before commenting, our reporter says.
A run-off would present an opportunity for Mr Wade’s opponents to team up against him.
That is exactly how the president came to power seven
years ago in one of Africa’s rare peaceful transitions from one
president to a rival.
It is the only West African nation not to have experienced a coup since independence, and polls in 2000 passed off peacefully.
Some five million people were eligible to vote, which is almost double the figure in the last election.
