“The Senegalese people are looking forward to the presidential election, and to putting an end to this regime which, for the past 12 years, has failed to respond adequately to the people's problems,” Mame Omar, a municipal councilor and technical assistant tells OkayAfrica about this weekend’s elections in Senegal.

For citizens like Omar, the elections are important for advancing democracy and securing the well-being of the Senegalese people. Some of the issues citizens are concerned about include corruption, rising rates of unemployment, bad governance and other forms of declining infrastructure.

Although the West African country has been lauded for its unblemished democratic record, recent events leading up to the election have threatened that. Early in the year, President Macky Sallpostponed the elections initially slated to be held in February, to December, prompting pushback and protests from Senegalese, as well as allegations of a possible extension of his term.

Amidst all this, Sall has been accused of muzzling opposition voices and attempting to exercise powers beyond his office. Following the protests in reaction to the initial postponement, a final election date was set with 19 candidates in the race.

Fear of electoral fraud

Thierno Ndiaye, a civil engineer, says that while he is confident in the strong political participation of the Senegalese people and their ability to elect good, capable leaders, “the possibility of electoral fraud invades me at times; which is why we must remain alert and mobilized.”

These fears are no doubt prompted by the wave of instability that sprung up when Sall announced plans for an initial postponement. As protests broke out, some opposition candidates were arrested and jailed, while other protesters reported cases of aggression by the police.

“The administration must restore people's confidence so that they are aware that their voice counts and that they can make a difference in achieving their political aspirations,” Omar says.

Voting for change

One of the biggest concerns on the minds of voters is making sure any candidate who is voted in can bring about the much-needed institutional change the country is seeking. Amadou Alpha, a voter who is supporting Bassirou Diomaye Faye, an opposition leader who he says will help steer the country right, tells OkayAfrica it is “high time to change the country,” while urging others to vote.

“So much pain that the [Macky Sall] government did to the population. Everything is expensive in Senegal, there is no security, so many murders, the arrogance, the dictatorship…. No hope for the youth, our resources stolen,” Alpha says of the current state of affairs in the country.

Alioune Badara Séne, a 22-year-old voter, says he’s also supporting Faye as he would like to see reforms in the areas of “justice, freedoms, education, training and employment.” Faye has been a fixture for many young voters in Senegal, with his rallies attracting large numbers of young people.

Meanwhile, Omar says he is voting for Aliou Mamadou Dia, because he “has the background, the rhetoric and the clear vision to lead Senegal to success.”

New approach to governance

When Sall announced the postponement of the elections, Senegalese expressed concerns that he was exercising powers beyond his control, and for some voters, cutting down the powers of the president would help prevent that from happening again. Ndiaye proposes that any incoming government should, for the first 100 days, focus on “strong, courageous institutional reforms.”

“Reducing the power of the president, making the judiciary more social, and depoliticizing the administration, among other things, must be the key measures, and then work to develop this country,” Ndiaye adds.

Jaly Badiane, President of the Wa Mbedmi Association and co-founder of the Senegal Vote Program tells OkayAfrica that she hopes the incoming government completely removes itself from the current model of governance that has been present since Senegal’s independence. “I would like to see reforms in the judicial system, the management of public funds, education and health. In Senegal, everything is an emergency, but the ones I mentioned above are really crucial,” she says.

As the people of Senegal make their way to the polls this weekend, there is no mistake that the stakes are high and this might be the country’s only chance in a long time to effect the change they are looking for. As Omar says, “We are at a decisive turning point in our political history, and we must not miss this opportunity.”