The decree announcing the election date, issued on September 13, confirms that these elections are taking place following the dissolution of the National Assembly in accordance with Article 87 of the Senegalese Constitution.
The published document emphasizes that the legal framework for this dissolution adheres to constitutional guidelines, particularly regarding the timeframe for organizing the elections. Article 87 mandates that early elections be conducted between 60 and 90 days after the dissolution.
The second decree released on the same day introduces significant updates to the electoral process to accommodate the early elections. Voting hours are set from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, although the Governor, Prefect, or Sub-Prefect may alter these hours if deemed necessary.
Importantly, the rules regarding sponsorship will not be applicable for these early elections, and the deposit amount remains unchanged at 15 million CFA francs.
A commission responsible for receiving nomination papers will be established no later than 55 days before the election.
The allocation of seats will follow the first-past-the-post system, similar to the structure used in the last legislative elections held on July 31, 2022.
These measures aim to facilitate the swift organization of the elections while ensuring the integrity of the electoral process remains intact.
ARD/sf/te/lb/abj/APA