The PASTEF-Les Patriotes party’s regulatory body, the Haute Autorité de Régulation du Parti (HARP), has finalized its provisional list of presidential candidates ahead of internal elections. After meticulously reviewing all submission dossiers submitted by the May 20, 2026 deadline, the HARP—led by Mouhamadou Ngouda Mboup—confirmed that only the bid of incumbent leader Ousmane Sonko meets the party’s eligibility criteria. Every other submitted application was rejected outright due to administrative and statutory violations.
Administrative lapses derail multiple candidacies
Detailed findings released by the HARP reveal the specific shortcomings that led to the disqualification of seven hopefuls. Alassane Sow and El Hadji Moussa Gueye were turned away after failing to settle overdue membership dues, directly breaching Article 16 of the party’s internal regulations. Other rejections stemmed from missing or incomplete documentation. For instance, Lat Grant Dione’s file lacked the mandatory declaration addressed to the HARP president, while Pape Alioune Badara Gueye and El Hadji Madior Diop submitted identification cards missing their critical reverse sides. El Hadji Leyty Thiam withdrew his candidacy entirely, formally pledging support for Ousmane Sonko before a notary and HARP members.
Recourse window closes on may 22
The HARP’s special session on May 21, 2026—attended by Mouhamadou Ngouda Mboup (chairman), Fatimata Sira Sarr, Mamadou Salif Sané, and Baye Niasse—has triggered the appeals process as outlined in the party statutes. According to Article 3 of the decision, any candidate may file a formal complaint until May 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM. After this deadline, unresolved disputes will be settled, and the definitive list of presidential hopefuls will be locked in place.
