Zahra Iyane Thiam: Urges Diomaye Faye on Calendrier Électoral Sénégal

• Former minister Zahra Iyane Thiam has written to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye regarding the delayed preparations for Senegal's territorial elections scheduled for January 2027.
• The presidential decree to convene the electoral body has not yet been published, stalling crucial preparatory steps like voter list revision.
• Thiam cites articles L.269 and R.90 of the Electoral Code and article 42 of the Constitution, warning that delays could complicate the electoral process.
• She recommends the President instruct Mouhamadou Makhtar Cissé, the Interior Minister, to convene a technical committee of electoral actors.
• Thiam emphasizes that any extension of local executive mandates would be a significant institutional issue requiring National Assembly intervention.

She firmly asserts that the regular conduct of elections is paramount for fostering public trust in governmental bodies and ensuring the rightful authority of elected officials.

Zahra Iyane Thiam, a former minister, has formally addressed President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, urging immediate action regarding the upcoming territorial elections in Senegal. Her open letter highlights a critical lack of progress, noting that preparatory operations for these crucial polls, slated for January 2027, have yet to commence. A key concern is the non-publication of the presidential decree essential for formally convening the electoral body, a foundational step in the electoral process.

This intervention by Ms. Thiam underscores a growing uncertainty surrounding the `calendrier électoral Sénégal` and the necessary `révision listes électorales Sénégal`. The absence of a clear timeline for these vital preparatory stages has raised questions about the timely conduct of the elections. This situation echoes a previous statement made in June 2026 by then-Interior Minister Bamba Cissé, who confirmed that no date had been announced and that the entire process remained stalled without the requisite presidential decree.

Ms. Thiam's appeal follows similar calls from political entities, including Pastef, which had previously engaged both the `Commission électorale nationale autonome CENA` and the Ministry of Interior to press for the initiation of electoral operations. Her letter serves as a renewed push for transparency and adherence to established electoral procedures, aiming to dispel the current ambiguity surrounding the forthcoming local polls.

In her correspondence to President `Diomaye Faye`, Ms. Thiam meticulously references specific legal provisions underpinning the Senegalese electoral framework. She cites articles L.269 and R.90 of the `Code électoral Sénégal` alongside `article 42 Constitution Sénégal`, emphasizing the legal obligation for elections to proceed within stipulated timeframes. Her central argument is that any delay in publishing the presidential decree, or its complete absence, risks nullifying the legally mandated deadlines and significantly complicating the logistical organization of the vote.

Ms. Thiam's letter outlines a series of indispensable steps that must be undertaken to ensure a credible election. These include extensive consultations with all relevant stakeholders, the critical `révision listes électorales Sénégal`, updating the electoral file, setting candidate caution requirements, facilitating the deposit of candidacies, and comprehensive material preparation for the ballot. These stages are sequential and time-sensitive, making the initial delay particularly problematic.

To address these procedural bottlenecks, the former minister has recommended that the head of state instruct Mouhamadou Makhtar Cissé, the Minister of Interior to convene the technical committee responsible for overseeing the electoral process. This committee, comprising various actors, is crucial for coordinating the complex operations ahead. An amplification of Ms. Thiam's letter was also directed to the `Commission électorale nationale autonome CENA`, further highlighting the institutional importance of her concerns.

At the heart of Zahra Iyane Thiam's message is a profound concern for the integrity and legitimacy of Senegal's democratic institutions. She firmly asserts that the regular conduct of elections is paramount for fostering public trust in governmental bodies and ensuring the rightful authority of elected officials. The current uncertainty surrounding the `calendrier électoral Sénégal` directly threatens these fundamental principles.

A significant point of contention raised by Ms. Thiam is the potential for a `prorogation mandats exécutifs locaux`. She warns that such an extension of local executive terms would not merely be an administrative adjustment but would constitute a substantial institutional question. Should this scenario arise, it would necessitate direct intervention and approval from the National Assembly, underscoring the gravity of departing from established electoral cycles.

The former minister's intervention thus serves as a critical reminder to the administration of President `Diomaye Faye` about the constitutional and legal obligations tied to electoral timeliness. Ensuring that the `élections territoriales` proceed without undue `délai` is presented not just as a procedural requirement, but as a cornerstone for maintaining democratic stability and the confidence of the populace in their governance structures.

Lawyers advising political parties, candidates, or local government bodies in Senegal should closely monitor the government's actions regarding the territorial electoral calendar, particularly the timely publication of the presidential decree, due to the legal and constitutional concerns raised about potential delays and the implications for institutional legitimacy and mandate extensions.

Source: Based on reporting from Rewmi.