National Assembly advances electoral code amendment despite controversy

The National Assembly has taken a first step in approving a bill to amend articles L29 and L30 of the Electoral Code, introduced by the Pastef parliamentary group. This proposal has generated controversy, with some political figures viewing it as a tailored reform to restore Ousmane Sonko's eligibility, which he lost after his conviction in a defamation case involving Mame Mbaye Niang. The bill's proponents dispute this interpretation. Under the presidency of El Malick Ndiaye, the Assembly's bureau declared the "Ayib Daffé" proposal admissible, formally initiating its parliamentary review. The text will now be sent to the President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, for his opinion. If the Constitutional Council is not consulted, the parliamentary schedule set by the National Assembly will primarily determine the continuation of the procedure.