In Senegal, constitutional council finds election delay unconstitutional

Senegal’s top election authority on [15 February] voided the government’s postponement of a presidential election scheduled for February 25 and its rescheduling for December, ruling that the moves were unconstitutional. The constitutional council cancelled the decree signed by President Macky Sall earlier this month that postponed the election, according to a judgement approved by seven members of the body and seen by the Associated Press. The National Assembly’s decision on February 5 to reschedule the vote for December 15 also was “contrary to the constitution,” the judgement said. “The constitutional council, noting the impossibility of organising the presidential election on the date initially planned, invites the competent authorities to hold it as soon as possible,” it added. The constitutional council also reiterated the fixed nature of the five-year presidential term. [...] In a statement [...], the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which had urged Sall to stick to the election timetable, said it noted the court’s decision. “The [ECOWAS] Commission urges all stakeholders in the electoral process to comply with the decision…and calls on the competent authorities to set a date for the presidential election in accordance with the decision.” [...] The postponement has thrown the country, usually seen as one of the most stable in West Africa, into political turmoil, with three people killed and dozens arrested during protests. Opposition and civil society groups have issued new calls for demonstrations and a peaceful march organised by a civil society collective is planned for [17 February]. The council’s decision was published as several jailed government opponents were released from prison in an apparent effort by President Sall to appease public opinion.
Read the full article here: Al Jazeera