Following the announcement of initial tallies on television, Dakar erupted into widespread street celebrations as Faye emerged as the frontrunner in Senegal’s presidential election, as reported by local media.
Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the opposition leader, is currently leading the race, with several of the 17 candidates conceding to him, although official results are yet to be declared.
The election witnessed millions of citizens participating in a peaceful vote on Sunday, marking a significant moment following three years of unrest and opposition protests against the incumbent, Macky Sall.
Despite the ruling coalition’s candidate, Amadou Ba, denying defeat, it’s anticipated that a run-off vote will be required if no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote.
Faye, 44, a prominent figure in the Pastef party led by Ousmane Sonko, had recently been released from jail just days before the vote. Sonko, who was disqualified from the race due to a defamation conviction, claimed it was politically motivated.
Initial tallies revealed Faye’s significant lead, prompting jubilant celebrations in Dakar, with supporters expressing their joy through fireworks, waving flags, and blowing vuvuzelas.
Five opposition candidates recognized Faye’s victory, including Anta Babacar Ngom, the sole female candidate, who extended her congratulations to him.
However, Faye has yet to comment on the results, which are based on tallies compiled by local media from individual polling stations. The official results are expected to be announced by Tuesday.
Faye and Sonko, who had campaigned together under the slogan “Diomaye is Sonko,” were both released under an amnesty law passed just days before the election. Their alliance has garnered support from some high-profile politicians and opposition figures.
The incumbent, Macky Sall, did not participate in the election for the first time in Senegal’s history. Instead, his ruling coalition selected Amadou Ba, a former prime minister, as their candidate.
Ba’s campaign remains confident, suggesting that a run-off is a possibility based on their analysis of the results received so far.
With approximately 7.3 million registered voters in a country of around 18 million, the election marks a crucial moment in Senegal’s political landscape, especially after the postponement of the initial election date, which triggered violent opposition protests.
