Senegalese opposition mobilizes against proposed electoral code changes

A proposed bill by Pastef coalition deputies in Senegal to amend articles L.29 and L.30 of the electoral code has sparked significant political debate and opposition. The proposed changes could affect the eligibility of individuals subject to judicial decisions. Opposition parties, including Gueum sa Bopp and the APR coalition, reject the bill, viewing it as targeting a specific political situation rather than a general electoral reform. Moussa Niang, national delegate for political life at Gueum sa Bopp, criticized the text as an attempt to revise electoral rules for a precise political objective, arguing it disregards principles of generality, impersonality, legal certainty, and non-retroactivity of the law. He emphasized that existing judicial decisions should be respected and that the legal framework for eligibility cannot be altered by a law tailored to an individual case. The Convergence of Republican Youth also expressed strong opposition, demanding the withdrawal of any reform without broad consensus and prior dialogue, asserting that electoral rules must remain stable to ensure trust in the democratic process. Deputy Abdou Mbow of the Takku Wallu group also opposes the bill, stressing the need for a broad and consensual discussion framework for any electoral reform.