Senegal votes with Sall tipped to win

DAKAR/FATICK - Senegalese voters headed to the polls yesterday for an election President Macky Sall is expected to win after strong economic growth in his first term, although rights groups criticise him for squeezing out rivals.

Senegal’s small fish-exporting economy expanded more than 6 percent last year, one of the highest rates in Africa, driven by an ambitious reform and development plan that included the construction of a new railway.

The 57-year-old told thousands gathered for his final rally in Dakar on Friday that he would deliver universal healthcare and better access to education in a second term.

About 6.5 million people are registered to vote at polling stations that opened at 0800 hours and closed at 18:00 hours. Official results are due out on Friday with a run-off for the top two on March 24 if no one secures a majority.

Rights groups have criticised the exclusion of two popular candidates from the race in the West African nation that has long been viewed as the region’s most stable democracy. It has seen peaceful transitions of power since independence in 1960.

Former mayor of Dakar, Khalifa Sall and Karim Wade, son of former President Abdoulaye Wade who was in power from 2000 to 2012, were barred from running due to corruption convictions.

- REUTERS