Senegal’s Opposition Candidate Bassirou Diomaye Set To Win Presidency.

By Jean-Pierre Afadhali

Millions of Senegalese voters participated in Sunday’s delayed elections that followed a political crisis and instability in the West African country that is seen as a democratic model in the troubled region.

Sunday's election was largely peaceful, according to various observers and media reports.

Opposition leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye is set to win Senegal's election after several rivals and the ruling party coalition conceded defeat in the highly awaited polls.

The governing coalition’s candidate, Amadou Ba has conceded defeat in the hotly contested elections. According to government spokesperson, Abdou Karim Fofana, Ba has congratulated Diomaye today 25 March.

The outgoing president Macky Sall delayed elections that were initially slated for 25 February, sparking protests from Civil Society and the country’s political class.

On Sunday, the ruling party candidate had said he would wait for final results and expected to contest a run-off vote.

Mr Faye, 44, a senior official in the Pastef party led by Ousmane Sonko, had been in jail only days before the vote. Mr Sonko, very popular among the youth was disqualified from the race because of a defamation conviction.

“This evening polling stations will decide the winners,” said the outgoing President Sall on Sunday evening adding “that will reflect the choice of Senegalese people and we hope that will be the best choice for Senegal.”

Several opposition supporters took to social media to congratulate Mr. Faye.

According to Sall, despite this year’s specific challenges, electoral campaigns were calm and voting since “this morning was peaceful.”

Ousmane Sonko, a prominent opposition politician after casting his ballot said “We are convinced that at the end of this day, the victory will be overwhelming and this evening God willing at 21 hours, early results will show that candidate Faye will win at more than 50 percent of the total votes.”

The first results announced on television showed Mr Faye had won the majority of votes, triggering widespread street celebrations in the capital Dakar.

 Supporters set off fireworks, danced, waved Senegalese flags and blew vuvuzelas.

 Mr Sonko supported  Mr Faye, the co-creator of his now dissolved Pastef party, who was also detained almost a year ago on charges including defamation and contempt of court.

An amnesty law passed this month allowed their release days before the vote, easing political tension in the west African country.