APA-Dakar (Senegal) – The Senegalese leader Macky Sall is yet to react to the decision by the country’s constitutional court to reverse the postponement of presidential election originally slated for February 25th.
By Abdou Cissé
The decision by Senegal’s constitutional court on Thursday 15th February to annul the decree which cancelled the holding of the polls on 25th February has prompted a reaction from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission.
In a statement seen by APA on Friday, the ECOWAS Commission said it was taking note of the decision of the constitutional court and calls on all stakeholders in the electoral process to abide by it.
It also urged the relevant authorities to set a new date for the presidential election in accordance with the decision.
The Commission also called on the political class and all stakeholders to show restraint and to favour an all-inclusive dialogue in order to preserve Senegal’s democratic gains.
The constitutional court’s decision follows petitions filed by nearly 60 opposition MPs and several presidential candidates, including El Hadj Malick Gackou, Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, Habib Sy, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, El Hadj Mamadou Diao, Thierno Alassane Sall and Daouda Ndiaye.
These petitions challenged the legality of a law derogating from the constitutional provisions on the date of the presidential election.
The contested article, adopted by the National Assembly on 31 January, was intended to set up a parliamentary commission of inquiry to investigate allegations of corruption involving judges of the constitutional court made by the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS), whose presidential candidate, Karim Wade, was rejected because of his dual citizenship.
This legal decision sparked off a heated political debate in Senegal, questioning the validity of the electoral process and fuelling tensions between the country’s various political factions.
The constitutional court’s decision to annul the law in question, as well as the presidential decree cancelling the ballot, inevitably led to a delay in the original electoral timetable.
The High Court has now asked the authorities to set a new date for the presidential election as soon as possible.
AC/lb/as/APA