China News Service, Beijing, February 5th, Dakar News: On February 4th, local time, Senegalese people supporting the opposition held a demonstration to protest against the country's postponement of the presidential election. Demonstrators clashed with police.
On the 3rd local time, Senegalese President Sall announced the postponement of the presidential election originally scheduled for February 25 this year. He said that several judges of the Constitutional Committee responsible for reviewing election candidates were involved in corruption cases, and that another candidate had dual nationality, which violated the constitution.
Agence France-Presse reported that under the call of some opposition candidates, hundreds of demonstrators blocked the intersection of a main street in the capital Dakar on the afternoon of the 4th. Some young demonstrators blocked roads with barricades and set tires on fire. Police used tear gas to disperse crowds and chased fleeing demonstrators, some of whom threw rocks at police.
Reuters said at least two opposition presidential candidates were involved in the conflict. Candidate Daouda Ndiaye posted online that he was attacked by police. Another candidate, Anta Babacar Ngom, was detained by police and held until evening. Former Senegalese Prime Minister Aminata Toure said she was arrested by the police when she arrived at the demonstration.
The Associated Press reports that Sall's term is expected to end on April 2. According to Senegalese electoral laws, the election date must be announced at least 80 days in advance, which means that the new election can be held as early as the last week of April. Senegal's opposition leader said the president had no authority to delay the vote. Under Senegal's constitutional authority, Senegal's top electoral body, the Constitutional Council, can reschedule elections under certain circumstances, including in the event of a candidate's "death, permanent incapacity or withdrawal." A number of opposition candidates have announced that they will launch campaign activities as scheduled.
Senegal's constitution stipulates that if a presidential election cannot be held before the end of the current president's term, the president will be acted by the speaker of the National Assembly. Reuters said that according to information obtained by the agency, the Senegalese Parliament will hold a debate on the 5th local time to decide whether to schedule new elections for August 25 this year and allow Sall's term to be extended to that date. (over)