Senegal heads to polls

Senegal votes in parliamentary elections on Sunday, with the new leaders aiming for a resounding majority to see through the promise of ambitious reform that swept them to power eight months ago.

President Bassirou Diomaye 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.

Faye appointed his firebrand mentor Ousmane Sonko as prime minister after Sonko’s bid to run for president was blocked following a three-year deadly standoff with the former authorities.

The pair promised a leftist pan-African agenda — vowing to diversify political and economic partnerships, review hydrocarbon and fishing contracts, and re-establish Senegal’s sovereignty, which they claimed had been sold abroad.

However, an opposition-led parliament hampered the government’s first months in power, leading Faye to dissolve the chamber in September and call snap elections as soon as the constitution allowed him to do so.

Polling stations in the West African country will open at 8:00 am (0800 GMT), with the roughly 7.3 million registered voters electing 165 MPs for five-year terms.

Voters will continue a long democratic tradition in Senegal, widely seen as a stable outlier in a coup-plagued region.

Analysts say Senegalese voters have historically confirmed their presidential choice during parliamentary elections, and the ruling Pastef party is the favourite to win.

Prime Minister Sonko spent three weeks on the campaign trail promising projects and investment in the regions he visited, while applauding patriotism and national sovereignty.

Reminiscent of his years as a fiery opposition leader, he called for vengeance after attacks against his supporters during the election campaign but later urged calm.

Despite the heated tone, clashes were sporadic in the run-up to the vote.

– Bleak picture –

Though some agreements have been reached between coalitions, the opposition remains scattered.

Former president Macky Sall is leading an opposition grouping from abroad, breaking with the political restraint normally adopted by ex-leaders in Senegal.

He left power in April after triggering one of the worst crises in decades with a last-minute postponement of the presidential election.

Former prime minister and presidential runner-up Amadou Ba is also heading his coalition.

The capital Dakar’s mayor, Barthelemy Dias, has caught some of the limelight with his animated exchanges with Sonko.

The opposition has accused the new government of inaction, amateurism, and a desire to settle scores with the previous administration.

Unemployment stands at more than 20 percent and scores continue to risk their lives every month in a bid to reach Europe by boat.

The government said an audit of public finances revealed a wider budget deficit than previously announced, with the International Monetary Fund suspending an aid programme pending the audit’s review.

Moody’s downgraded Senegal’s credit rating following the conclusions of the audit and placed the country under observation.

Since taking office, the authorities have lowered the price of household goods such as rice, oil, and sugar and launched a series of reviews.

They have initiated justice system reform and, in October, presented an ambitious 25-year development plan aimed at transforming the economy and public policy.

Polling stations close at 6:00 pm.

Reliable projections of the new parliament’s makeup could be available from Monday morning.

AFP