Protests had broken out ahead of the February 26th presidential election after a constitutional court ruled that President Abdoulaye Wade could run for a third term, in spite of a two term limit that Wade himself signed into law after his election in 2001. Wade had argued that he could run again because he had been elected under the old constitution, a claim the five judges all appointed by Wade, agreed with.
In spite of the recent protests, the election was declared peaceful and orderly by international observers.
President Abdoulaye Wade received 24% of the vote. This virtually assures a run-off election between the two top candidates. In order to avoid a runoff, a candidate must receive more than 50% of the vote.
International actors continue to express concern that Wade’s run for a third term and the accompanying protests will put the security of West Africa’s most stable democracy at risk.
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