Labour MEP is in Senegal where he is monitoring the presidential election after having been  selected by the Group of the Progressive Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament.

He forms part of a group of seven MEPs  from various political groups who were deployed in the capital, Dakar.

Within the framework of the election observation mission, Dr John Attard-Montalto had meetings with the main actors of the electoral process, including the Minister in charge of the elections Cheikh Gueye (a newly-created body which started its activity on 25 July 2011), the Chairman of the Commission Electorale Nationale Autonome (CENA), Doudou Ndir, Minister of State Ousmane Ngom, the Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Cheikh Tidiane Diakhaté (the Constitutional Court declares the official results), as well as several presidential candidates, including the incumbent President Abdoulaye Wade.

The delegation also met with the representatives of a movement called “Women against violence in elections”.

Senegal is a former French colony which gained independence in 1960 and was under socialist rule for 40 years. In 2000 the presidential elections led to Abdoulaye Wade (Senegalese Democratic Party, liberal) assuming power.  

The run-up to the elections has been  marked with numerous protests and violent clashes in which a number of people have been killed.

 

 

 

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