Senegal votes in delayed presidential election

By Nathan Morley

Just over 7 million people are enrolled to vote in this crucial election in the West African nation of Senegal.

The election was originally scheduled for last month, but was suddenly delayed by incumbent President Macky Sall at the start of February, only hours before electioneering was set to commence.

The decision triggered a wave of violence and led the Constitutional Council to refuse attempts to delay the vote and extend Sall's mandate beyond April.

In all, nineteen candidates are competing to replace President Sall, who is stepping down after a second term marred by unrest over the prosecution of an opposition leader.

This means a sitting president is not on the ballot for the first time in the country’s history. Sall’s ruling coalition has chosen Amadou Ba, a former prime minister, as its nominee.

The most prominent other candidate is Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a former tax official who has been thrust to the frontline with support from opposition leader Ousmane Sonko.

As no opinion polls have been conducted, it remains unknown whether any contender will secure over 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff.

Polls close early in the evening, and provisional results are expected within the next 48 hours. However, polling centers will begin posting their results late Sunday.