Presidential poll: ECOWAS asks Senegal to restore electoral calendar

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has frowned at the shifting of Senegal’s presidential election.

On Monday, Senegal’s parliament voted “overwhelmingly” in support of the postponement of the February 25 presidential election to December 15.

Despite stern disapproval of the postponement from the opposition party, 105 lawmakers voted in support of the election delay, while only one was against it.

The vote came after Macky Sall, president of the country, postponed the election “indefinitely” over issues arising from the “candidates list”.

The candidates list was validated and published by members of the constitutional council which has two members currently facing “corruption” charges.

The development has further deepened the political crisis in the French-speaking country.

As part of a plan to quell protests and growing frustration, the Senegalese government had cut off access to the internet in the country.

Sall’s second term officially ends on April 2, but after the lawmakers’ vote, his tenure has now been extended until after the election, sparking rumours of a “constitutional coup”.

However, the president has reiterated that he would not seek a third term.

Reacting to the postponement of the election, ECOWAS said it was concerned and advised against any action or statement that may contravene the provisions of the country’s constitution.

In a statement on Tuesday, the regional bloc reminded the political class in Senegal of their responsibility to maintain peace and stability in the country.

ECOWAS urged them “to take steps urgently to restore the electoral calendar”.

“In these trying times for the country and the region, the Commission calls on all stakeholders to shun violence and all other actions that may further disturb the peace and stability of the country,” the statement reads.

“It urges the law enforcement agencies to exercise utmost restraint and protect the fundamental rights of all citizens.

“The ECOWAS Commission will continue to monitor the unfolding events and will take all necessary steps to support the government and people of Senegal in their efforts to sustain the country’s democratic tradition.”

After Sall announced the postponement of the elections, ECOWAS urged the government to “expedite the various processes to set a new date for the elections”.