Ousmane Sonko, President of the National Assembly and leader of the PASTEF party, has firmly rejected any possibility of postponing the upcoming local elections scheduled for January 2027.

Speaking to press questions about ongoing speculation regarding the polls, Sonko emphasized the unacceptable nature of any delay, citing the tragic loss of three lives that prevented such a scenario during the presidential election cycle. “We must remember that three people gave their lives to prevent the postponement of the presidential election,” he stated. “What justification could there possibly be to delay the first election following President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s inauguration?”

The 2024 legislative elections, he noted, were an exception—the result of the National Assembly’s dissolution before its term concluded. The upcoming local elections, however, are firmly anchored in the electoral calendar. “We will not accept excuses about preparations not being complete. When election day arrives, citizens must vote. In January 2027, we will go to the polls,” Sonko declared.

Stressing the legal obligation to hold the elections, he warned against any attempts to derail the process. “Electoral list revisions should already be underway, yet this hasn’t happened. We fought—and some died—to prevent postponements. We cannot now tolerate maneuvers to delay these elections,” he asserted.

Sonko also expressed confidence in PASTEF’s dominance, pointing to the ongoing voter card sales as a key indicator. “The results of these sales give us a glimpse of the outcome before ballots are even cast. They serve as a powerful barometer of our electoral strength,” he concluded.