DAKAR, Senegal, Feb 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) – About 6.5 million Senegalese are registered to vote in Sunday’s presidential election pitting incumbent president Macky Sall against four other aspirants.
Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. (0800 GMT) and close at 6 p.m, while official results are due out on Friday, with a run-off for the top two on March 24 if no one secures a majority.
As part of the special election coverage, we will keep you posted with all the latest developments on election day in Senegal.
Polls close
Polls closed at 6pm local time as scheduled, after what was relatively an incident-free voting day.
Vote counting is now underway at the polling units across the country.
Official results are due out on Friday with a run-off for the top two on March 24 if no one secures a majority.
EU raises early red flag
The European Union observer mission head, Helena Valentiana told journalists there was ‘not enough control of inked fingers’ in the first hours of voting.
According to BBC Afrique, Valentiana said it was too early to assess the conduct of the election across the country, she expressed concern that the lapse in control of inked fingers could lead to cases of multiple voting.
Idrissa Seck casts his vote
Former prime minister Idrissa Seck also reiterated calls for peace after casting his vote in his stronghold of Thies.
“My prayers and wishes are that the elections take place peacefully, serenely and calmly and that the profound desire for change expressed by the people throughout this electoral campaign may not encounter any obstacle.”
The leader of the Rewmi (‘The Country’) party is representing the Idy Coalition 2019 in this year’s ballot.
Sonko votes, also calls for peace
44-year-old Ousmane Sonko cast his vote in his stronghold city of Ziguinchor, urging his supporters to uphold peace throughout the electoral process.
Ziguinchor is the largest city in the southern Casamance region, which is rich in agricultural and mining resources.
At least one person was killed this month in clashes between Sall’s backers and his opponents in the southeastern city of Tambacounda, but campaigning has been largely peaceful.
“Our most precious raw material is peace,” said Sonko after casting his vote
Macky Sall votes
President Macky Sall cast his vote on Sunday morning, at a polling station in his hometown of Fatick.
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