Senegal began counting votes in Sunday's presidential election, with the two main contenders saying they were confident of winning the election.
Two favorites emerged from a field of 17 candidates, including one woman: former ruling coalition Prime Minister Amadou Bah and anti-establishment candidate Basserou Diomaye Faye.
Both were previously tax inspectors. But Ba, 62, is now arguing for continuity. While Fay, 43, says he is a “regime change candidate” and a “leftist Pan-Africanist”.
Both have also presented themselves as the best candidates for young people in a country where half the population is under 20 years old.
“I voted for Diomai without thinking,” said Dayarav Jay, a 26-year-old shop owner. “It is time for the country to start on a new basis with the youth” in power.
But housewife Ndiye Pinda Faye (23 years old) said she was pinning her hopes on the government candidate. “(President) Macky Sall has done a lot of work. For this reason, I will vote for Amadou Ba to continue the work,” she stressed.
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