Professor Ibrahim Gambari, a distinguished Nigerian diplomat and former UN Under-Secretary-General, underscored the commitment of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) delegation to uphold Senegal’s democratic values as the country prepares for its presidential election on March 24, 2024.
Addressing the media at the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission (EOM), Gambari emphasized the pivotal role of ECOWAS in advancing regional peace and democracy. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the mission, highlighting ECOWAS’s readiness to support and monitor Senegal’s electoral process to ensure adherence to best practices.
“Senegal’s history of multi-party democracy and peaceful transitions of power sets a commendable example for the region,” Gambari remarked, urging all stakeholders to uphold democratic principles and ensure a peaceful and credible election. He emphasized the significance of Senegal’s electoral outcome for the country’s development and the broader African continent.
The EOM, comprising 14 Long-Term Observers (LTOs) with expertise in various fields, will work alongside an ECOWAS Technical Team led by Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah and Mr. Serigne Ka. Their collective efforts aim to support and monitor Senegal’s electoral process in alignment with regional protocols on democracy and good governance.
Originally scheduled for February 25, the presidential election was postponed indefinitely by outgoing President Macky Sall, prompting legal challenges and subsequent orders for the elections to proceed. With over seven million registered voters, Senegal’s electoral landscape reflects a vibrant democracy, with notable candidates vying for the presidency, including former Prime Minister Amadou Ba and veteran opposition leader Idrissa Seck.
Senegal was one of the first countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to undertake multi-party presidential elections in 1978, preceding the wave of democratic reform in the 1990s. For this year’s election, around 338,040 Senegalese were registered in the diaspora.
Experts anticipate close elections, possibly resulting in a runoff for the presidency. In the event of a run-off, if no candidate achieves an absolute majority, the top two candidates will face off again, with a winner emerging, providing a democratic and transparent electoral process.
