Lawmakers in Senegal have overwhelmingly approved amendments to the electoral code that could clear the way for Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to run in the 2029 presidential election.
The reforms were adopted by the National Assembly with 128 votes in favour, 11 against and two abstentions, following an emergency procedure criticized by opposition parties.
The chamber, largely dominated by the ruling PASTEF, backed the bill, which revises provisions that previously disqualified Sonko from contesting elections.
Sonko, who was barred from the 2024 race following a conviction, had supported the candidacy of Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who went on to win the presidency.
Since then, political observers have noted emerging differences between the two leaders, fueling speculation about Sonko’s potential presidential ambitions.
The revised law will now be sent to President Faye for promulgation, while opposition groups may still challenge it before the Constitutional Council.
Meanwhile, broader institutional reforms, including changes to the constitution and political system, have been opened for public consultation ahead of further government review.
