Senegalese are voting today in controversial polls characterised by sometimes violent protests against the candidacy of incumbent president Abdoulaye Wade who has ruled the country for 12 years. The opposition say he is barred by the constitution from running for a third term. However the country's highest court cleared him to run ruling the term limit did not have retroactive effect hence excluded his first term. Turnout has been massive.
Voting, which has been brisk, has so far been peaceful across the country with the African Union chief envoy and observer, former Nigeria president Olusegun Obasanjo saying the process is so far “very peaceful and orderly”.
Polling has so far been overshadowed by the booing at president Wade when he went to vote at a Point E station close to his house. Hundreds of people, apparently spontaneously, started making cat calls at him shouting in the local Wollof language “LEAVE, OLD MAN”.
The 85-year-old president looked embarrassed but gathered his nerves and cast his ballot before leaving without talking to the press. The booing did not stop until he had gone back into his car and driven off.
Over 5 million people are registered to vote with results expected within 48 hours.
