Senegal counts votes as new leaders eye parliamentary win

Dakar: Senegal began counting votes on Sunday after parliamentary elections in which the new government is aiming for a resounding majority to deliver...

Dakar: Senegal began counting votes on Sunday after parliamentary elections in which the new government is aiming for a resounding majority to deliver the ambitious reform agenda that swept it to power eight months ago.

Voting took place peacefully across the West African country, and reliable projections of the new parliament's makeup could be available from Monday morning.

Tallying started shortly after a polling station in the capital Dakar closed at 6:00 pm (1800 GMT), an AFP journalist saw.

The governing Pastef party of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is the favourite to win.

Faye secured victory in March pledging economic transformation, social justice and a fight against corruption -- raising hopes among a largely youthful population facing high inflation and widespread unemployment.