The discussion surrounding the timing of Senegal’s upcoming local elections has intensified significantly. Following Ousmane Sonko’s direct appeal to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to promptly set the election date, El Malick Ndiaye has now articulated an equally resolute stance on the matter.

During a Pastef tour in Linguère, focused on membership card sales, where he hosted Ousmane Sonko, the deputy asserted that any deferment of these crucial elections should be unequivocally ruled out.

“No one can postpone them”

El Malick Ndiaye drew a direct correlation between the substantial public engagement observed during Pastef’s membership drive and the ongoing debate concerning the electoral schedule.

“Our membership card sales operations are currently galvanizing the nation in a positive way. Across the country, people are eagerly acquiring Pastef membership cards. This widespread mobilization could potentially influence the date of the forthcoming elections,” he declared.

The former President of the National Assembly, however, remained uncompromising regarding the actual conduct of the polls.

“Nevertheless, these elections are beyond anyone’s power to postpone. ‘Beug beuré, bagn beuré’ (there will be a contest, whether they like it or not),” he emphatically warned.

Following Sonko’s declaration

This forceful statement comes merely hours after Ousmane Sonko’s similar pronouncement in Louga.

The Pastef leader had previously urged the Head of State to issue a decree to establish the date for the next local elections, emphasizing that this decision falls squarely within presidential prerogatives.

“Issuing a decree to dismiss Fadilou Keïta, Waly Diouf Bodiang, and others is within his powers, and no one disputes that. In the same vein, he must issue a decree to set the election date. These are all simple decrees,” Sonko had stated.

These two prominent declarations collectively amplify the political pressure surrounding the electoral calendar, as the definitive date for Senegal’s local elections continues to be a subject of considerable speculation and discussion within the Senegalese political class.