PASTEF Takes the Lead in Senegal’s General Election
Early Results Show Strong Support for President Faye and Prime Minister Sonko's Party
- Early unofficial results indicate PASTEF is in a commanding position across Senegal’s major cities
- Key opposition leaders have congratulated PASTEF on its apparent victory
- Former President Macky Sall’s coalition, Takku Wallu, has raised concerns over alleged electoral misconduct
In Senegal’s recent general election, unofficial results indicate that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s party, PASTEF, is in the lead.
While vote counting is still underway, early returns show PASTEF has garnered significant support across nearly all cities.
Government spokesperson Amadou Moustapha Ndieck Sarre shared with local media that, based on initial results, “PASTEF has achieved a decisive victory.”
Opposition coalition leader Barthelemy Dias, Mayor of Dakar, congratulated PASTEF on their success in a Facebook post. He leads the “Samm Sa Kaddu” coalition, meaning “I keep my word” in Wolof.
Amadou Ba, former presidential candidate and leader of the “Jamm ak Njarin” coalition (meaning “Peace and Prosperity” in Wolof), also praised PASTEF on X (formerly Twitter), noting that Senegal was the true victor.
Meanwhile, the “Takku Wallu” coalition, led by former President Macky Sall, has alleged widespread electoral irregularities, accusing Interior Minister Jean Baptiste Tine of misconduct.
With approximately 7.3 million eligible voters, Senegal is electing 165 members of parliament from 41 party and coalition lists. To secure a majority, a party or coalition needs at least 83 seats. While official results are still pending, it is expected that PASTEF will easily achieve the majority needed to control the National Assembly.
This election follows Senegal’s last general election in July 2022, which was marked by tensions in the National Assembly, particularly over Prime Minister Sonko’s vocal opposition to former President Sall. In September, President Faye dissolved parliament and called for early elections, now scheduled for April 2024.
