Senegalese Coalition Opposes Electoral Law Proposal

Coalition leaders criticized a proposed electoral law introduced by the Pastef party, citing a lack of consultation with the opposition and rushed procedures. The coalition argues the reform focuses too narrowly on the eligibility of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. Members of the coalition stated that while the principle of preventing judicial interference in candidate eligibility was previously accepted, the current method is flawed. The coalition is now supporting an alternative modification to the electoral code released by the executive branch. This alternative text excludes the principle of retroactivity found in article 2 of the Pastef bill. A public law professor suggested that the principle of retroactivity could be censored if the Constitutional Council is seized. The report was filed by Pauline Neutroquiez in Dakar.