Noo Lank Invokes January 23 Deadline Before Senegalese Supreme Court

• Noo Lank has filed a request for interim measures with the Supreme Court of Senegal over the delay in setting a date for the upcoming departmental and municipal elections.
• The collective is relying on Article 86 of the Organic Law No. 2017-09, as modified by Law No. 2022-16 of May 23, 2022, to demand that the government set a date for the election by decree, in accordance with the Electoral Code.
• Noo Lank argues that the absence of an official date for the election reduces the time available to conduct preparations in accordance with the law.

Noo Lank, a collective, has initiated legal proceedings against the Senegalese government over the delay in setting a date for the upcoming departmental and municipal elections. The organization filed a request for interim measures with the Administrative Chamber of the Supreme Court on August 14, 2026. This move is led by Seydina Mouhamadou Malal Diallo, secretary general of Noo Lank. According to the collective, they are relying on Article 86 of the Organic Law No. 2017-09 of January 17, 2017, as modified by Law No. 2022-16 of May 23, 2022, which governs the Supreme Court. The organization demands that the court order the government to set a date for the election by decree, in accordance with the Electoral Code. They argue that this is necessary to allow the various operations preceding the vote to unfold smoothly.

The collective's request is based on Article 86 of the Organic Law No. 2017-09, as modified by Law No. 2022-16 of May 23, 2022, which states that the Supreme Court shall have the power to order the government to set a date for elections in accordance with the Electoral Code. The organization cites Articles L.236 and L.269 of the Electoral Code, which stipulate that elections must take place within thirty days preceding the end of the fifth year of the mandate and no later than during the same year. Noo Lank argues that the absence of an official date for the election reduces the time available to conduct preparations in accordance with the law.

The case has significant implications for the electoral process in Senegal, particularly regarding the application of the Electoral Code and the fixing of election dates. The collective's request highlights the importance of adhering to the calendar set by the law, which is essential for ensuring a smooth and fair electoral process. As Noo Lank emphasizes, 'The electoral calendar is not a variable of adjustment: when an deadline is fixed by the law, it imposes itself on all.' This case will be closely watched by lawyers and compliance officers, who should pay attention to its potential impact on the electoral process in Senegal.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for the potential impact on the electoral process in Senegal, particularly with regards to the application of the Code électoral and the fixing of election dates.

Source: Original reporting via Senego