Ousmane Sonko has firmly rejected any notion of postponing Senegal’s upcoming local elections scheduled for January 2027, emphasizing that such a move would be unacceptable following the tragic sacrifices made to prevent an earlier delay.
a decisive stance against election delays
In a clear and unambiguous statement, Ousmane Sonko, leader of the PASTEF party, addressed growing speculations about the postponement of Senegal’s local elections. He recalled the sacrifices made to prevent the delay of the presidential election, stating that three lives were lost in the process. “We must remember that three people gave their lives to prevent the postponement of the presidential election,” he asserted.
Sonko questioned the justification for delaying the first election after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye took office. He pointed out that the 2024 legislative elections were not part of the normal electoral calendar, as they followed the dissolution of the National Assembly before the end of its term. In contrast, he stressed that the 2027 local elections are firmly inscribed in the electoral schedule and must proceed as planned.
no room for postponement
The President of the National Assembly emphasized that the elections cannot be postponed, as their timing is legally mandated. “We cannot accept being told that someone is not ready. When election day arrives, the people must vote. In January 2027, we must go to the polls,” he declared. He also highlighted the urgency of updating electoral lists, noting that this critical task has yet to begin. “The revision of electoral lists should already be underway, but it hasn’t started. We fought, and some lost their lives, to prevent election delays. We cannot now accept maneuvers aimed at postponing them,” he added.
confidence in electoral strength
Sonko expressed confidence that despite any attempts to undermine the process, PASTEF remains Senegal’s largest political force. He pointed to the ongoing sale of voter cards as a strong indicator of his party’s electoral prospects. “The results of the voter card sales already give us an idea of the outcome before the vote. This campaign is an excellent barometer of our electoral strength,” he concluded.
