DAKAR: Senegalwent to the polls yesterday in an election that incumbent President Macky Sallis tipped to win after his main challengers were banned from running. His twobiggest rivals in the first-round vote in the West African nation -- popularformer Dakar mayor Khalifa Sall and Karim Wade, the son of the previouspresident -- were disqualified after corruption convictions in trialsquestioned by rights groups.
People queued inlarge numbers as the polling station opened at Fatick in the centre of thecountry, where Sall, 56, cast his ballot, as well as at Thies in the west, AFPreporters said. But the start of voting was delayed at Grand-Yoff, thestronghold of Khalifa Sall. "I want to get home as soon as possible, I'mfrightened there will be violence on election day," said 25-year-old voterFatoumata Sall. "I hope this election goes off peacefully and thattomorrow everyone will be going about their business -- that will mean apeaceful vote," said accountant Lamine Diatta after he cast his ballot inDakar.
President Sall, aformer geologist who first took the presidency in 2012 after beating his formerpolitical mentor Wade, campaigned for a second term pitching his "EmergingSenegal" infrastructure project to boost economic growth. "Victory inthe first round is indisputable," Sall told a recent Dakar campaign rally,seeking to emulate all three of his predecessors by landing a second term --Abdoulaye Wade needed just one round in 2007 to secure his second term.
Often held up asa model of stability in Africa, Senegal has enjoyed strong growth. TheMuslim-majority country has largely escaped the jihadist attacks thatdestabilized neighbors such as Mali. Sall made infrastructure a priority, includinga new airport, motorways and a rail link. But basic services, healthcare andeducation often remain inadequate, sometimes triggering strikes and protests.
Sall facescompetition from four lesser-known rivals who campaigned hard against his plansfor a second phase of his project, which critics see as a waste of taxpayers'money and a potential debt burden. His rivals are former prime minister IdrissaSeck, Issa Sall of the Unity and Assembly Party (PUR), former justice andforeign minister Madicke Niang and tax inspector-turned MP Ousman Sonko.
The five-horserace leaves voters with a limited choice compared to 2012 when 14 candidatesvied for the top post, and 2007 when 15 battled it out for the presidency.Preliminary results were expected soon after polling closes at 1800 GMT onSunday, but will only become official a day or two later. Some 6.7 million in apopulation of around 16 million are registered to vote in a country whichgained independence from France in 1960.
'Lack of independence'
A candidate mustget more than 50 percent to prevent a second-round runoff. If no one wins morethan half the ballots, a second vote is provisionally scheduled for March 24.The exact timing will be determined by how long it takes to officially proclaimthe first-round results, and whether there is a challenge.
A new systemapproved by parliament last year despite opposition party challenges requirescandidates to demonstrate they have the support of a minimum number of citizensand regions. Once the new regulations were applied, only seven candidates madethe cut, two of whom were then disqualified. Both Khalifa Sall and Karim Wadehave claimed their criminal convictions were engineered to rule them out of therace.
Supporters of theconvicted men staged demonstrations, while rights group Amnesty Internationalspotlighted "unfair trials" in Senegal, and a "lack ofindependence" by the judiciary in Khalifa Sall's case. Senegal has knowntwo peaceful power transfers in 2000 and 2012, and no coups. But electioncampaigns are often marred by charges of corruption, disinformation andsometimes violence.
Recent clashesbetween supporters of rival parties left two dead at Tambacounda, 420kilometers east of the capital. Authorities also reinforced security andlegislation, sometimes at the cost of freedom, according to rights groups.Officials said 8,000 police were on duty in urban areas alongside anundetermined number of civilian security staff. The interior ministry said some5,000 observers -- including 900 from abroad -- were monitoring proceedings.Opposition rallies have recently been banned and pre-trial detention for peoplesuspected of "terrorism" extended from 48 hours to 12 days. - AFP