First Round

Second Round

Introduction

In what has been lauded as a victory for democracy in a region that is notorious for coups as a means for effecting regime change, the people of Senegal voted in Macky Sall after 12 years of rule under Abdoulaye Wade.

The election required two rounds after Wade was unable to win an outright majority, thus, enforcing a second round of voting. Wade garnered 34.2%, while Sall won 65.8%. Against the general trend in West African politics, Wade graciously accepted the result and congratulated Sall after his victory, describing the result as the “will of the Senegalese people”.

The result and manner in which the election occurred has been described as a benchmark for democracy in Africa and has been lauded by the international community as setting a good example to countries, such as Mali, which has recently experienced a military coup, and Côte d’Ivoire, which recently went through a civil war after a dispute over election results.

Electoral System

The President is elected by direct popular vote for a period of seven years and is elegible for reelection for one additional term. Should a candidate not receive an outright majority, the two with the highest number of votes will enter into a head-to-head runoff. This normally results in candidates defeated in the first round throwing their support around one of the two contesting candidates in the second round.

Term Dispute

Despite the relatively civil nature of the second round of elections, the first round was not as peaceful. Six people died during violent protests prior to the first round, as angry Senegalese marched against Wade’s decision to seek a third term after he rushed through legislation in Parliament that allowed him to do so.

Wade’s decision to seek a third-term in office had a damaging effect on his image. This was compounded by his nepotism in which he began to give his son, Karim, an increasing share of power, which included the control of a number of Ministries, including infrastructure and energy.

Further denting his credentials as a figure for democracy, Wade was heavily criticised for trying to push through a law that would have reduced the percentage a candidate would need to win an election from 50% to 25%. This piece of legislation, however, never materialised after he was forced to scrap the unpopular Bill as civil society organised a series of riots in the capital of Dakar.

Sall Victory

In the aftermath of his victory, Sall has lauded the result as a new era for all and a victory for the Senegalese people. He has promised to enforce the two-term Presidential limit, as well as introduce measures to combat poverty, unemployment and rising food prices.

However, he faces several challenges in his new roll as President, with rising unemployment and an unfavourable economic climate. It is too early to tell what policies the new President will adopt to tackle these problems; however, the country has made a good start in providing a conflict-free democratic platform from which Sall can address Senegal’s challenges.

Main Sources

African Elections Database. Elections in Senegal. (March 29, 2012).
AfricaNews. Senegal’s election, lesson to African leaders – AU. (March 28, 2012).
ABC News. Results: Senegal election won in landslide. (March 28, 2012)
BBC News. Senegal’s President-elect Macky Sall hails ‘new era’. (March 26, 2012).