For a transparent and sincere election whose results will be accepted by all, the leadership of the Catholic Laity in Senegal invites “all actors involved in the electoral competition to act in accordance with the rules of democracy, giving priority to ideas and projects for society.”
They encourage political actors in Senegal “to put the higher interest of the nation first and to avoid all forms of violence and acts that could jeopardize the stability of our country.”
CNL officials further call upon “all stakeholders in the electoral process to have a strong sense of responsibility to ensure strict compliance with the laws and regulations governing the election in the interest of the country.”
The July 31 legislative poll that follows local elections in March, is to renew the 150 seats for members of parliament. While the current Assembly is largely dominated by President Sall's ruling coalition, the March local elections were won by the opposition in several major cities, including Dakar, Ziguinchor in the South, and Thies in the West.
In their July 30 statement signed by CNL President, Philippe Abraham Birane Tine, representatives of the Laity in Senegal highlight the stakes of the July 31 poll, which they describe as a “great event”.
“Since the official launch of the campaign, Senegalese men and women have been mobilizing all over the country and throughout the world for this great event,” CNL officials say, and add, “This is a major moment in the life of a democracy, an important turning point for a nation which must allow choosing of the men and women who will sit in the legislature, one of the key institutions of the country.”
They say that “Senegal's long and rich democratic tradition has enabled us to build not only undeniable political and social stability, but also an exemplary character and a reputation recognized throughout the world.”
“This heritage bequeathed by our predecessors has given us an exemplary way of living together, a harmonious combination of our diversities and a political and institutional genius that are the pride of Senegal and its citizens,” CNL officials say in their July 30 statement shared with ACI Africa.
The people of God in Senegal, CNL leadership says in reference to the country’s heritage, “have a pressing obligation to work to preserve this legacy, to strengthen it and to pass it on to future generations in the best possible way.”
“CNL, faithful to its mission of promoting fundamental human values, notably human dignity, freedom, justice and peace, regrets and condemns the acts of violence observed during certain political rallies, wherever they may come from,” the representatives of the Catholic Laity in Senegal add.
