Senegal’s National Assembly is set to examine on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, a controversial bill to reform the Electoral Code, triggering divisions within the political majority and drawing sharp criticism from the opposition.
The debate centres on a proposal introduced by deputies of the ruling Pastef, which opponents argue is designed to secure the eligibility of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The bill has been particularly contentious due to provisions linked to legal retroactivity, which critics say could affect past judicial or administrative decisions.
On Monday, April 27, 2026, the Diomaye President Coalition publicly expressed reservations about both the content and the process of the reform, citing limited consultation with the opposition and the use of an emergency procedure in Parliament.
Coalition officials, including general supervisor Aminata Touré (formal Prime Minister), stressed that while there is consensus on the principle of preventing judicial interference in political candidacies, the method and scope of the reform raise constitutional and democratic concerns.
The coalition has proposed amendments to broaden the reform and remove retroactive application, warning that such a clause could violate legal certainty and be struck down by Senegal’s Constitutional Council if challenged.
The debate highlights growing political tensions in Dakar over institutional reforms, eligibility rules, and the balance between legal stability and electoral justice.