African Election
Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a 44-year-old Senegalese politician, is on the course of becoming Africa’s youngest elected leader.
Faye, an opposition leader in the country’s election was leading in the race, BBC reports.
According to the report, 17 other candidates in the election have conceded defeat to Faye even though, the official announcement of results is underway.
While Faye’s main rival, Amadou Ba, who was picked by Sall, the incumbent to run on the platform of the ruling coalition, had said a run-off might happen to determine the winner, at least five of the 19 candidates in the race issued statements to congratulate Faye as of early hours of Monday.
“For our part, and considering the feedback of the results from our team of experts, we are certain that, in the worst case scenario, we will go to a run-off,” Ba, a former Senegalese prime minister said.
Faye’s lead had spurred his followers, many of whom were young people to troop out in celebration on the streets of the capital, Dakar, on Sunday.
Reports revealed that millions took part in a peaceful day of voting to elect Senegal’s fifth president after three years of unprecedented political turbulence that triggered violent anti-government protests and bolstered support for the opposition.
Faye is a Senegalese politician and a former tax inspector, who also served as the General Secretary of the dissolved PASTEF.
He contested the highest political position in the West African country in place of disqualified candidate Ousmane Sonko.
Senegalese voters had a choice of 19 contenders to replace Sall, who is stepping down after a second term marred by unrest over the prosecution of opposition leader Sonko.
7.3 million people were registered to vote from the over 18 million people in the country. According to Senegal’s State TV, about 71 per cent voter turnout was recorded.
