Senegal is counting votes cast as 19 candidates vie to replace the embattled President Macky Sall. 

At least 7.3 millions eligible Senegalese were registered to cast their votes.

Meanwhile, the country’s main opposition party’s candidate Basiru Diomaye Faye has so far been leading in many polling centres.

Bassirou Diomaye Faye came to the political spotlight after Ousmane Sonko handpicked him in prison to replace him after the latter was ruled out to contest over pending court cases.

The 44-year-old was released from jail just 10 days ago, after being detained since April 2023 on charges of insurrection, which he said were politically motivated.

His ally, opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, was also freed from prison following an amnesty intended to calm tensions.

Macky Sall who has decided to step down after serving two seven-year terms – had attempted to push the election to December – but the country’s Constitutional Court overturned his decision amid nationwide protests. 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba