Senegal heads to the polls
February 26, 2012
Voters in Senegal cast their ballots in a controversial presidential election this Sunday. The polls follow weeks of violence over President Abdoulaye Wade’s decision to seek a third term in office.
The 85-year-old incumbent was roundly booed and heckled as he arrived at a polling station to cast his ballot.
"Go away old man," some opposition supporters shouted.
Long lines were reported outside of some polling stations, but African Union observers said the process had been peaceful so far.
Almost daily demonstrations began in Senegal late last month after the country's constitutional court ruled that Wade could run for a third term in office. At least seven people were killed in clashes between police and demonstrators.
Senegal's 2001 constitution states that a president can only serve two terms in office, but Wade argued that his first stint - from 2000 to 2007 - fell under the terms of the previous constitution, which imposed no such limits.
Appeals for transparency
Foreign diplomats issued last minute appeals for calm and a transparent vote, but a top African mediator failed to secure an agreement between Wade and his rivals over a shortened term for the incumbent if he won.
"We are watching the development of the situation closely. I have been concerned about what is happening there," United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told journalists on Saturday during a visit to Zambia.
"I sincerely hope that this election will be held peacefully in a credible, open and transparent manner so that the will of the people will be fully respected," he said.
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, acting as a top envoy for the African Union, attempted to persuade Wade to give up power after two years if he is re-elected.
"We believe that this country must be prevented from chaos, from tragedy, from disaster," Obasanjo told journalists in Dakar.
Thirteen candidates are registered for the election, with three former prime ministers among them. None has emerged as a clear favorite to grab a majority in the polls.
dfm, pfd/ng (AFP, Reuters)