Ousmane Sonko, President of Senegal’s National Assembly and leader of the PASTEF party, has firmly rejected any notion of postponing the upcoming local elections scheduled for January 2027. In a bold statement, he emphasized that such a move would be unacceptable, especially after the sacrifices made by three individuals to prevent an earlier election delay.
No justification for postponement
Addressing growing speculation about potential delays, Sonko made it clear: “We must remember that lives were lost to prevent the postponement of the presidential election. What possible justification could there be now to postpone the first major election since President Bassirou Diomaye Faye took office?”
He pointed out that the 2024 legislative elections were not part of the normal electoral calendar, as they followed a dissolution of the National Assembly before the end of its term. In contrast, the 2027 local elections are firmly enshrined in the legal electoral schedule, he argued.
Legal and political obligations
Sonko stressed that postponing these elections would violate the law, as their date is legally mandated. “Come January 2027, the people must vote. We will not accept excuses about readiness. When election day arrives, we call on the people to cast their ballots,” he declared.
He also highlighted the urgency of updating voter registration lists, which he noted should already be underway. “We have fought hard—some have paid the ultimate price—to prevent election delays. We cannot now allow maneuvers to push them back,” he stated firmly.
Electoral strength as a barometer
Confident in his party’s prospects, Sonko pointed to the ongoing voter card sales as a strong indicator of PASTEF’s electoral strength. “The results of these sales give us a clear preview of the final outcome. They serve as an excellent gauge of our support,” he concluded.
