Senegal’s ruling party declares legislative election victory

Senegal’s ruling party has declared a decisive victory in Sunday’s legislative elections, according to government spokesperson Amadou Moustapha Ndieck Sarre, who made the announcement on TFM television.

Citing control over 90 to 95 percent of the results, Sarre stated, “I commend the Senegalese people for the significant victory granted to Pastef,” referring to the party led by the president and prime minister.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye aims to secure a substantial majority to advance the ambitious reforms he championed upon his rise to power eight months ago.

Approximately seven million out of Senegal’s 17 million citizens were eligible to cast their votes on Sunday to elect members of the 165-seat National Assembly for a five-year term. Polling stations were open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time (08:00-18:00 GMT). Preliminary results were expected by Monday morning, with the final count released later in the week.

Faye, who won the presidency in March with promises of economic transformation, social justice, and anti-corruption measures, has generated high hopes among the predominantly young population grappling with inflation and unemployment. He dissolved the National Assembly last September.

Faye appointed his outspoken mentor, Ousmane Sonko, as prime minister after Sonko was disqualified from the presidential race due to defamation charges.

Together, they have pledged a left-leaning pan-African agenda aimed at diversifying political and economic ties, reassessing hydrocarbon and fishing contracts, and reclaiming Senegal’s sovereignty, which they claim has been compromised by foreign interests.