Run-Off Inevitable, According To Senegal Poll Results

A second round seems inevitable, given the trend of early results of Sunday's presidential election in Senegal, as published by the local media, reported Monday.

Incumbent President Abdoulaye Wade has reportedly garnered only 31 per cent of the votes cast, with former Prime Minister and leader of the Alliance for the Republic (APR) Macky Sall credited with 25 per cent.

The report also showed that Moustapha Niasse of the Alliance of Progressive Forces (AFP) is coming third with 17 per cent.

Ousmane Tanor Dieng of the Socialist Party is in fourth place with 9.83 per cent while another former Prime Minister Idrissa Seck is fifth with 9.55 per cent.

Wade seems to be preparing himself for the second round, after his campaign spokesman, Mr El Hadji Amadou Sall, told newsmen that there was no indignity in going for a run-off.

Sunday’s election in Senegal recorded a 58 per cent turnout, a figure deemed fair by the ministry in charge of elections.