Voting begins in Senegal’s early Parliamentary Elections for New National Assembly

Voting has officially begun in Senegal’s early parliamentary elections, where citizens will vote to form a new composition of the National Assembly, the country’s unicameral parliament, Azernews reports.

The elections will determine the 165 members of parliament (MPs), with results shaping the future political landscape of the country.

According to reports from South Africa's SABC radio station, 41 parties and coalitions are competing for parliamentary seats. The ruling government is represented by the center-left party Senegalese Patriots for Labour, Ethics, and Fraternity (PASTEF), led by Prime Minister Usman Sonko.

PASTEF’s main rival is the centrist opposition coalition Takku Wallu Senegal, which translates to "United to Save Senegal" in Wolof. The coalition is led by Macky Sall, the former president who served from 2012 to 2024.

The elections, which are conducted in one round but under two separate voting systems, will see 112 MPs elected from regional constituencies, while the remaining 53 will be elected through national constituencies. To secure a parliamentary majority, a party or coalition must win at least 83 seats.

With 7.3 million registered voters casting their ballots, the election is expected to be a crucial moment in Senegal’s political history, potentially reshaping the balance of power in the National Assembly.