Former Prime Minister Amadou Ba encouraged his compatriots on Sunday to go out and vote en masse after seeing little enthusiasm in the afternoon.
Arriving dressed in a large white boubou, just like his wife, Amadou Ba was accompanied by an imposing delegation from his coalition at the center of HLM Grand Médine, in the Dakar suburbs, shortly after 1 p.m. The head of the “Jamm ak Njarign” list attracted a crowd of journalists and curious people, underlining his central role in this election which he hopes to win with other opposition lists. They aim to overthrow Pastef, the new ruling party, and to impose cohabitation.
“I am used to voting in this center. Often there was a lot more entertainment. But today, we see a little less of it. From what comes to my mind, it is that at the national level the (participation) rate is still low. We are appealing to the Senegalese to come out and exercise their right to vote. It’s time to vote and express your choice”he declared.
Despite this observation in his voting center, which was stormed in the morning by many voters, particularly elderly people, the former head of government displayed a confident attitude after having fulfilled his civic duty.
« It went well. We were well received. I would like to thank the administration for the arrangements made, particularly at the level of the Sanitized Parcels, as well as the defense and security forces for their completely republican participation. Now we wait for the results“, he explained.
Referring to the progress of the electoral campaign, Amadou Ba praised the peaceful climate demonstrated by his camp, despite scenes of violence reported elsewhere. He also expressed his gratitude to the Senegalese populations for the welcome given to his coalition, while emphasizing the importance of mutual respect between the different lists in the running.
These elections, organized in a tense political context seven months after the arrival of new authorities, represent a crucial test for several opposition coalitions. Among them are former members of Benno Bokk Yakaar, who are trying to restructure themselves through different lists after their loss of power last March.
In addition to Amadou Ba and his Jamm ak Njarign coalition, former president Macky Sall heads the Takku-Wallu Senegal coalition, while the mayor of Dakar, Barthélémy Dias, is at the head of the Samm Sa Kaddu list. These opposition figures agreed, at the last minute, to support the list deemed strongest in each constituency in order to maximize their chances and have influence in the fifteenth legislature. Meanwhile, the ruling Pastef party has set itself the ambitious goal of winning 150 of the 165 seats in the National Assembly.
The participation rate remains a major issue in this election, which could condition the execution of Vision Senegal 2050, the new framework for public policies of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. Preliminary results are expected shortly after 6 p.m.
ODL/te/Sf/APA
