Senegal’s highest court has dismissed President Macky Sall’s attempt to postpone elections and extend his term by nearly a year.
The Constitutional Council dealt a setback to Sall, declaring that any delay in the scheduled elections for this month is unconstitutional.
Earlier this month, President Macky Sall postponed the election originally scheduled for February 25 to December 15. The election delay, a first in the country’s history, has spurred protests in the country.
The law adopted by the National Assembly on Feb. 5 “is contrary to the constitution,” the council said in its decision.
“The president doesn’t have the authority to postpone or cancel elections,” and his mandate “cannot be extended.” Polls should be held “as soon as possible” taking into account the time for campaigning.
The postponement implies that President Macky Sall, whose second and final term was set to conclude on April 2, will remain in office until his successor assumes power.
Sall argued that the postponement is necessary to allow for an inquiry into the role of two judges in the validation of candidates after opposition leader Karim Wade was disqualified, and popular opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was excluded.
Opposition leaders denounced the election postponement as a “constitutional coup,” and further challenged the delay at the Supreme Court.
The election delay, a first in the country’s history, has spurred protests in the country and led to the restriction of mobile internet access to prevent “threats and disturbances to public order.”
