The delay plunged Senegal, usually considered one of West Africa's most stable countries, into political turmoil.
Senegal's top electoral authority on Thursday annulled the government's postponement and rescheduling of presidential elections scheduled for February 25 to December, ruling that the measure was unconstitutional.
The Constitutional Council canceled a decree signed by President Macky Sall earlier this month that postponed the elections, according to a ruling approved by seven members of the council and seen by The Associated Press.
The ruling also said Parliament's decision on February 5 to postpone the vote to December 15 was “unconstitutional.” “The Constitutional Council notes that it is not possible to hold presidential elections on the originally scheduled date and urges the competent authorities to hold them as soon as possible,” it added.
The Constitutional Council also reiterated the fixed nature of the five-year presidential term.
Opposition parties praised Thursday's court ruling.
“This is a decision that will put Senegal back on track. I am not surprised because everything that is happening is too big,” former prime minister Aminata Toure, who has joined the opposition, told AFP.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) urged Mr. Sall to adhere to the election schedule and sent a delegation to meet with him earlier this week.
The postponement plunged the country, usually considered one of West Africa's most stable countries, into political turmoil, with three people killed and dozens arrested during protests.
Opposition forces and civil society groups have called for renewed demonstrations, and a peaceful march organized by civil society groups is planned for Saturday.
The council's decision was announced as several imprisoned government opponents were released from prison in Saru's apparent effort to appease public opinion.
“Most of my clients in politically motivated cases have been released,” lawyer Sheikh Koureisi Ba told AFP, adding that this involved dozens of detainees. Ta.
A list of several opponents who have been made public was provided to AFP by another lawyer, Moussa Sarr.
The list also included Aliu Sein, coordinator of the civil opposition movement Y'en a marre (I'm tired of it). Jamil Sein, mayor of a suburb of Dakar. and several members of the disbanded opposition party Pastef, led by opposition leader Ousmane Sonko.
“As a result of international pressure, President Macky Sall has ordered the release of some,” said Suleiman Jim, a member of the Organization of Families of Political Prisoners.
One of Sall's leading opponents, Sonko and his second-in-command, Basil Diomai Faye, have been imprisoned since 2023.
There is currently no news regarding a possible release.
Hundreds of opposition politicians have been arrested since 2021, when Sonko launched a standoff with the government that sparked deadly unrest.
