Supreme Court rejects opposition's urgent appeal regarding 2027 local elections

The court ruled that the urgency was not sufficiently established, thereby allowing the authorities more leeway in the electoral process. Khalifa Ababacar Sall, Modou Diagne, Sagna Sy, Oumar Sarr, and Abdou Mbow had filed the appeal on August 21, represented by Me El Hadji Amadou Sall. They criticized the "deficiency" of the ministry in charge of elections, the Directorate General of Elections, and the National Autonomous Electoral Commission CENA for delays in preparing the upcoming local elections.

The applicants argued that the lack of concrete progress was reducing the time needed for preparation and could jeopardize the right to vote and to be a candidate. They requested the Supreme Court to immediately order preparatory operations, including the revision of electoral lists, setting and publishing electoral deposits, and publishing a provisional calendar. They also sought measures to ensure a "regular and transparent" election, respecting the authority responsible for convening the electorate.

The applicants noted that municipal and departmental councilors were elected on January 23, 2022, for a five-year term, and the Electoral Code stipulates their renewal must occur within thirty days before their term expires, by January 17, 2027. They expressed regret over delays in essential election p