afrol News, 24 May - It was yet another striking blow for the Senegalese opposition yesterday when the Council of State legalised the distribution of lawmakers in the country, a move vehemently challenged by the opposition Parti Socialiste (PS).

Until it was dislodged from power by President Abdoulaye Wade’s ruling PDS in 2000, PS had been ruling Senegal since independence in 1960. The party captured third in the last Presidential polls.

Unsatisfied with the overruling of a decree on the distribution of parliamentary seats per department ahead of the 3 June legislative polls, angry PS officials filed an appeal, describing the act as "unconsitutional."

In its petition, PS blamed President Wade for being unfair in demarcating the country's 36 districts. The party faulted the demarcation, arguing that it has favoured the ruling party.

Senegalese government had earlier raised the number of legislative seats from 120 to 150 earlier this year. This led to the postponement of the legislative polls, resulting to a bitter confrontation between striking opposition and police in last January.

Senegalese electoral commission would have been legally mandated to postpone the 3 June elections had the council ruled in favour of the opposition.

The council had earlier responded positively to the party’s queries against the distribution of parliamentary seats. However, the constitutional court would not agree with PS on its appeal on the demography issue.

PS is among 15 opposition parties that insisted that unless they hold talks with President Wade concerning the numerous irregularities in the February Presidential poll, they would resort to a boycott.

Following President Wade’s refusal to give them audience, the 15 parties did not only boycott the polls, but they have since then been asking their Senegalese in general to avoid being part of what they call “assassination of democracy.”

The 25 February polls had been endorsed as free, fair and transparent by international observers. And the opposition’s attempts to annul the results also bite the dust.

Despite a boycott by major opposition parties, 15 political parties and coalitions will be battling for Senegal’s 150 legislative seats.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Related pages and feature

Current afrol News Top Stories