From 20, the list of candidates for the presidential election has been reduced to 19. The Constitutional Council has just readjusted the list, following the withdrawal of Ms Rose Wardini.  

19 people are now in the running to lead Senegal for the next 5 years. The Constitutional Council has just readjusted the list of candidates due to stand in the 2024 presidential election. Originally scheduled for 25 February, the 7 « Wise Men » have asked the relevant authorities to find a date before the end of the current presidential term. This follows the revocation by the President of the Republic of the decree convening the electoral college against a background of institutional crisis. 

Withdrawal of Candidacy: Wardini’s Rose Fades

Indeed, the Pds had informed the Executive of its desire to set up a parliamentary commission of enquiry. This was to shed light on the ousting of their candidate, Karim Meïssa Wade. The Pds had suspected corruption involving two of the 7 judges on the Constitutional Council. Following the creation of the parliamentary commission of enquiry, the National Assembly amended article 31 of the Constitution to extend the term of office of the President of the Republic, to enable him to organise the presidential election on 15 December. The amendment was referred to the Constitutional Council by the opposition, which ruled that it was unconstitutional and annulled the decree which dismissed the convening off the college.

Read the column: In the Soft Tropical Dictatorship of Senegal

In the meantime, Ms Rose Wardini, who was one of the candidates, made a false declaration on her honour, claiming to hold Senegalese nationality only, whereas she is also a French citizen. She was arrested and placed in police custody, before being provisionally released. She eventually withdrew her candidacy. This had an impact on the list of candidates. The Constitutional Council has revised the list downwards. There are now 19 candidates seeking the Senegalese vote. They are; Boubacar Camara, Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, Déthié Fall, Daouda Ndiaye, Habib Sy, Khalifa Ababacar Sall, Anta Babacar Ngom, Amadou Ba, Idrissa Seck, Aliou Mamadou Dia, Serigne Mboup, Papa Djibril Fall, Mamadou Lamine Diallo, Mahammed Boun Abdallah Dionne, El Hadii Ma­lick Gakou, Aly Ngouille Ndia­ye, El Hadji Mamadou Diao, Bassirou Diomaye Dia­khar Faye, Thierno Alas­sane Sall.

By Malick GAYE / mgaye@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH