New amendments could clear legal hurdles for Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to contest next year’s presidential election…reports Africa Newsdesk
Senegal’s National Assembly on Tuesday approved amendments to the country’s electoral code in a move that could clear the way for Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to contest next year’s presidential election.
The legislation, introduced by Sonko’s ruling PASTEF party, was passed with 128 votes in favour, while 11 lawmakers voted against it and two abstained.
The amendments revise provisions in the electoral code that had previously barred Sonko from seeking office following his conviction in a defamation case ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
After being disqualified from the race, Sonko backed his political ally Bassirou Diomaye Faye as the party’s candidate. Faye later won the election and subsequently appointed Sonko as prime minister.
According to Africanews, supporters of the amendments argued that the existing electoral laws had been used to sideline candidates for political reasons.
PASTEF maintained that the previous electoral code was “designed to eliminate candidates according to political interest”.
Opposition parties, however, criticised the reforms, arguing that the retroactive amendments were crafted specifically to benefit Sonko.
Critics described the proposed changes as “personal” legislation tailored to favour one individual.
The bill will now be sent to President Faye, who will decide whether to sign it into law.
