News: The new team of the Autonomous National Electoral Commission (Céna) takes office in Senegal
In Senegal, the renewal of the Autonomous National Electoral Commission (Céna) by President Macky Sall continues to be controversial. The twelve members of the new team were sworn in before the President of the Constitutional Council on November 13, 2023. However, the political background of certain members raises questions about their neutrality and the integrity of the upcoming electoral process.
The Céna is responsible for supervising the smooth running of elections in Senegal. Its role is essential to guarantee the sincerity and fairness of the vote. However, the appointment of the new commission members has been criticized for its lack of transparency and prior consultation.
Indeed, some voices from civil society are speaking out against the presence of two members who were part of the Alliance for the Republic, the party of President Macky Sall. According to these critics, the Electoral Commission should be composed of neutral people, without political affiliation, in order to ensure the integrity of the decisions taken.
Among the criticisms made, the Ousmane Sonko affair particularly attracted attention. By requesting the reinstatement of this opponent to the electoral lists, in application of a court decision, the Céna contradicted the official line of the government. Some therefore believe that the renewal of the Electoral Commission team aims to eliminate members who are not aligned with the positions of the power in place.
Faced with these accusations, the new president of the Céna, Abdoulaye Sylla, says he wants to guarantee equal opportunities for all candidates and ensure the sincerity of the vote. However, doubts persist about the neutrality of the Electoral Commission.
An appeal was filed before the administrative court to request the withdrawal of the decree appointing members of the Electoral Commission. Civil society organizations also continue to call for the resignation of members with ties to the ruling party, in order to preserve the integrity of the electoral process.
This controversy surrounding the Céna highlights the importance of transparency and independence of the institutions responsible for supervising elections. By ensuring fair and equitable electoral processes, these institutions help strengthen democracy and citizens’ trust in their leaders. It is therefore crucial that the members of the Electoral Commission are chosen in a transparent manner, without conflicts of interest and in accordance with democratic principles.