Ahead of official declaration of the winner in the Senegal presidential election, candidate of the ruling coalition and former Prime Minister, Amadou Ba has congratulated the leading opposition candidate, Bassirou Diomaye Faye on his victory at the polls.
The 44-year-old Faye’s victory is expected to change the political landscape of one of the Africa’s fastest- growing economies renowned for its democratic stability.
Faye, a political novice and former tax inspector was only 10 days ago imprisoned on what his supporters alleged as politically motivated charges, is on the path of an unexpected first-round victory over government-favored Amadou Ba.
The country’s electoral body, the Autonomous National Electoral Commission has not made an official declaration, however, results coming in the end of voting on Sunday evening puts Faye in the lead of the first round of a delayed presidential election.
Supporters of the opposition candidate have trooped to the streets in Dakar in celebration of the victory as local media announce the voting trends.
The official election results are anticipated by the end of the week, with a clear majority required to avoid a second-round vote.
Faye has captivated voters with promises of significant change, advocating for left-wing pan-Africanism, sovereignty restoration, and a fair distribution of wealth.
His campaign has been buoyed by provisional results from polling stations and widespread support on social media and local media outlets.
Earlier, in a show of unity, seven presidential candidates have extended their congratulations to Faye ahead of Ba, citing his clear lead in the early vote count.