Senegal’s top court reverses Sall’s election delay bid
Al Jazeera
The delay threw Senegal, usually seen as one of the most stable West African countries, into political turmoil.
Senegal’s top election authority on Thursday voided the government’s postponement of a presidential election scheduled for February 25 and its rescheduling for December, ruling that the moves were unconstitutional.
The constitutional council cancelled the decree signed by President Macky Sall earlier this month that postponed the election, according to a judgement approved by seven members of the body and seen by the Associated Press.
The National Assembly’s decision on February 5 to reschedule the vote for December 15 also was “contrary to the constitution,” the judgement said. “The constitutional council, noting the impossibility of organising the presidential election on the date initially planned, invites the competent authorities to hold it as soon as possible,” it added.
The constitutional council also reiterated the fixed nature of the five-year presidential term.
Opposition figures praised the court’s ruling on Thursday.
