DAKAR, Senegal – Senegal’s top court has ruled that the decision to postpone the upcoming presidential elections is against the country’s constitution. The Constitutional Council declared President Macky Sall’s decree and a controversial bill passed by parliament to move the vote to December null and void.
The announcement of the delay to the election sparked widespread riots in Senegal, a country once considered a bastion of democracy in West Africa. Opposition figures have condemned the decision, calling it a “constitutional coup” and accusing President Sall of trying to cling onto power.
President Sall had cited concerns over the eligibility of opposition candidates as the reason for the postponement, and his proposal was backed by a majority of MPs after a heated debate. However, the opposition, including prominent figures like Khalifa Sall and Thierno Alassane Sall, filed legal challenges to the bill and were vindicated by the court’s decision on Thursday evening.
The court stated that it was “impossible” for the election to be held on the original date of 25 February, which is just 10 days away, but urged authorities to organize it “as soon as possible.” President Sall’s second term in office expires on 2 April, leaving the country in a state of uncertainty as the disputes that led to the postponement remain unresolved.
The postponement has left many candidates unable to campaign and has raised concerns about potential unrest and violence if the elections are held using the disputed candidate list. This turn of events comes as several opposition politicians and civil society members were released from prison, seen by some as a move to appease public opinion.
Senegal had long been seen as one of the most stable democracies in the region, with a history of peaceful power transitions and no previous delays to presidential elections. However, the current situation has cast a shadow over the country’s democratic reputation and raised questions about the future of its political landscape.