For Senegal, the a lot awaited presidential election has come

After months of procrastination and uncertainty, the Senegalese are lastly going to vote within the nation’s presidential election. Some 7.3 million voters will go to the polls this Sunday March 24 to elect a brand new chief. They must select between 19 candidates.

These 19 contenders embrace Amadou Ba of the ruling coalition, chosen by President Macky Sall. And on the opposition facet, Bassirou Diomaye of the previous Pastef get together, chosen by its embattled chief Ousmane Sonko, who has simply been launched from jail. 

There are additionally outsiders corresponding to Khalifa Sall, a former authorities minister and former mayor of Dakar,  who might play spoilsport on this very particular election, and never forgetting Anta Babacar Ngom, the one feminine presidential candidate. With slim possibilities for victory, activists say Ngom’s candidacy demonstrates how girls are shifting forward within the battle for equality.

First postponed, then cancelled earlier than being introduced ahead, plunging the nation into an unprecedented constitutional and institutional disaster, elections marketing campaign on this election ended Friday 22 March. Additionally unprecedented was the size of the election marketing campaign: two weeks. 

Two weeks for the 19 candidates to attempt to persuade their voters. Voters for whom crucial factor is to go to the polls peacefully and elect their fifth democratic president since independence from France in 1960. 

The opposition has warned in opposition to any electoral fraud whereas the authorities have given assurances for a free and honest vote: a promise for a free and clear election that many obsevers are eager to comply with in a rustic that is till not too long ago had been thought of to be west Africa’s most steady democracy.