A Senegalese government minister said Friday she was in favour of postponing the February 25 presidential poll for at least six months, as speculation swirls around a possible delay to the vote.
Therese Faye, who is minister for community development and a prominent figure in President Macky Sall’s party, said in an interview on television channel TFM that the electoral process had been “ruined” by irregularities.
Last month, the Constitutional Council approved 20 candidates but disqualified dozens of others from the race, including opposition leaders Ousmane Sonko and Karim Wade.
“I’m in favour of postponing the presidential election for at least six months,” said Faye.
She added that she wanted “an inclusive and participatory presidential election”.
Senegal’s parliament on Wednesday approved a commission of inquiry into the workings of the Constitutional Council — the body which both finalises the list of candidates and announces the winner of the election.
Many MPs from the president’s own party unexpectedly voted in favour of the inquiry, fuelling speculation that they could be trying to delay a vote they fear losing.
The ca mpaign to establish an inquiry was launched by disqualified candidate Wade.
He has accused two of the seven members of the Constitutional Council of having links with presidential hopefuls, including Prime Minister Amadou Ba, endorsed by the outgoing president.