Senegal parliament to vote on election delay and Sall tenure extension

The Senegalese parliamentary session comes in the wake of deadly protests and internet cuts in parts of the country.

Senegal’s parliament is meeting to consider the postponement of presidential elections announced by President Macky Sall, a move that has plunged the country into crisis.

Monday’s session is happening after a day of violent street protests in the capital Dakar – during which at least one senior opposition figure was arrested – and growing international concern.

Lawmakers are voting on a proposal to postpone the presidential poll – previously set for February 25 – for up to six months. The text before them will need the support of three-fifths of the 165-seat parliament to pass.

Sall’s announcement of a delay on Saturday has since set off a chain of events in the West African country.

On Sunday, the government ordered a private television broadcaster off the air for “incitement to violence” over its coverage of the protests, another sign of the mounting political tension in the country. There were also local reports on Monday of mobile internet coverage being cut and restriction of motorcycle movements in Dakar, even as security has been reinforced in the capital.