By Bashir Aliyu
The Economic Community of West African State has expressed concern over the political circumstances that led to the postponement of Presidential Election in Senegal following uncertainty that surrounds the disqualification of several candidates from running in the elections.
In a statement, the ECOWAS Commission calls on the “competent authorities to expedite the various processes in order to set a new date for for the elections.”
“The Commission further urges the entire political class to prioritize dialogue and collaboration for transparent, inclusive, and credible elections,” the statement added.
Daily Review learns that the Constitution Council that screens presidential aspirants has barred several prominent opposition figures from running which, after outcry and complaints, led President Macky Sall to postpone the election till further notice. The president already vowed to keep up with his promise not to run in the presidential election, a decision hailed by ECOWAS as a sign that the postponement of the election is not a ploy to prolong the president’s stay in power.
“The ECOWAS Commission salutes President Macky Sall for upholding his earlier decision not to run for another term, and encourages him to continue to defend and protect Senegal long-standing democratic tradition,” said the statement.
President Macky Sall defended his decision to postpone the election on February 3, saying “”these troubled conditions could gravely hurt” the election and tarnish the image of the country which has never experienced military coup since it gained independence in 1960.
The president said the postponement will allow the government to engage in “an open national dialogue… to create the conditions for a free, transparent and inclusive election in a peaceful and reconciled Senegal”.
