Senegal votes for shorter presidential term

DAKAR, Senegal

Senegal has decided to cut the president’s term of office from seven years to five, the country’s election commission said late Wednesday.

The constitutional change will come into effect in 2019 following a national referendum held Sunday that had been put forward by President Macky Sall.

The “Yes” vote won 62.7 percent of ballots with the “No” vote on 37.3 percent Demba Kandji, president of Senegalese National Census Commission said at a news conference. Turnout was 38 percent of Senegal’s 5.7 million eligible voters.

Opposition politicians had called for a vote against the proposal, which would have weakened Sall.

The Constitutional Court is still to make a final announcement of results.

The vote came after several other African leaders moved to extend their period in office, often sparking protests and violence.

DAKAR, Senegal

Senegal has decided to cut the president’s term of office from seven years to five, the country’s election commission said late Wednesday.

The constitutional change will come into effect in 2019 following a national referendum held Sunday that had been put forward by President Macky Sall.

Opposition politicians had called for a vote against the proposal, which would have weakened Sall.

The Constitutional Court is still to make a final announcement of results.

The vote came after several other African leaders moved to extend their period in office, often sparking protests and violence.