Jaajef wa G-L,
Here is the latest news from the BBC on the close of polls. On Gai-Baldeh's
point, it is very true that Djibo Ka cannot rely on all his supporters
switching their loyalty to Abdou Diouf. In fact his move has split his
party with prehaps the majority going with Wade. There has been some
speculation in the Senegalese press that prehaps he is not as clean as he
would like to make out, and that he was blackmailed into this position. As
for the results we should wait and see, although there is already evidence
that the PS has been attempting vote rigging. In a number of places
(especially where Diouf lost on the first round) polling station staff were
replaced with new nominees, in breach of the electoral rules. In Rufisque,
where the mayor Mbaye Jaques Diop crossed carpet to support Diouf, all the
polling station staff who had worked during the first round were told they
had been replaced. The Dakar Ports Authority (headed by a long term PS
rival of Diop) had provided new polling station staff. In some cases the
new staff were told that they would be issued with their appointment papers
on the day of the poll. In Kaolack, Niasse revealed that the "prefects"
(local mayors) had been sent anonymous letters saying that unless they
supported the PS candidate they would be slaughtered like sheep at Tobaski.
We await and see what tomorrow and the day after will bring, and pray that
peace will prevail. It is hard to see however, even if Diouf should win,
how he can continue to govern faced with such popular opposition.
Yeenduleen ak jaama
Tony
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Polls have closed in Senegal after a close-run election that will decide
whether the veteran Socialist Party leader Abdou Diouf remains in office.
It is the first time since independence that a presidential election has
gone to a second round.
Mr Diouf, who has been head of state since 1981, cast his ballot near the
presidential palace in front of a crowd of wellwishers.
He said he wanted "everyone to vote in calm and open conditions, so that
in the end the Senegalese people are the only winner".
But there were reports of violence, ballot theft and other irregularities
around the country during Sunday's voting, as well as dozens of arrests.
Voters are anxiously awaiting the result
On the eve of the poll, opposition candidate Abdoulaye Wade accused the
president of preparing to fix the elections and warned that there might be
a spontaneous revolution if he lost.
"History shows that it is rare for a revolution to be organised," he said.
Appetite for change
Mr Wade has won support among many poor voters, who have increasingly been
demanding change.
After four decades of Socialist Party rule, nearly two-thirds of Senegalese
remain illiterate and hospitals and roads are badly neglected.
After casting his own vote in the capital Dakar - an opposition stronghold -
Mr Wade told his supporters not to initiate violence, but to fight back if
attacked.
He also warned Senegalese to "remain vigilant" for any election fraud.
President Diouf has based his appeal to the electorate on the assertion
that he represents stability, but the BBC West Africa correspondent says
there is a chance that he will be defeated.
First results are not expected until Tuesday at the earliest.
Oldest democracy
Senegal is one of the oldest democracies in Africa. Multi-party politics
has been allowed for many years.
There is a vibrant free press and, unlike most African countries, it has
never experienced military rule.
But, despite the liberal atmosphere, the ruling party has held near
monopoly power since independence.
The United States and France have both appealed for calm, regardless of the
result.
Search BBC News Online
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