Supreme Court grants Executive authority over local elections, President Diomaye Faye to decide scheduling

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is now solely responsible for determining whether to hold or postpone the territorial elections, which were originally scheduled for no later than January 27, 2027. The court ruled that no administrative decision had been made by the Executive regarding the convocation of the electorate, and it was not within its jurisdiction to compel an unmade decision or substitute itself for the administration's competence, citing the principle of separation of powers. The ruling also referenced Article 269 of the Electoral Code, which sets a five-year term for departmental and municipal councilors and stipulates that general renewal occurs within the last thirty days before the term's expiration.

This decision has significant implications, making President Diomaye Faye the sole authority on the matter. Pastef has already urged the Minister of Interior, with copies to the President and the National Autonomous Electoral Commission Cena, to initiate the electoral process, noting that the decree setting the date for territorial elections and the amount of the deposit, as required by Articles L.247 and L.282 of the Electoral Code, have not been published.