Addressing growing speculation about potential delays to the local polls, the leader of the PASTEF party delivered a firm message: “We must remember that three lives were lost to prevent the postponement of the presidential election.

The 2024 legislative elections were an exception, called after the dissolution of the National Assembly before the end of its term. But the local elections scheduled for 2027 are a different matter entirely, Sonko stressed. “There is no justification for postponing the first elections after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye took office,” he stated.

Legal mandate and public demand for elections

Sonko, who also serves as President of the National Assembly, emphasized that the 2027 local elections are not optional—they are a legal obligation. “We will not accept excuses about preparations. When election day arrives, citizens must cast their ballots. January 2027 is the date, and we must vote,” he declared.

Electoral preparations underway

The PASTEF leader pointed out that while electoral preparations should already be underway, including voter list revisions, delays persist. “We fought—and some died—to prevent election postponements. We cannot now tolerate maneuvers to delay them,” he insisted.

PASTEF remains Senegal’s leading party

Concluding with confidence, Sonko asserted that despite opposition tactics, his party remains Senegal’s strongest. He highlighted the ongoing voter card sales campaign as a clear indicator of PASTEF’s future electoral success. “The card sales results already give us a preview of the outcome before voting even begins. They are a reliable measure of our electoral strength,” he affirmed.