Ruling coalition romps home

Senegal's ruling coalition will take 125 of 165 seats in parliament, the National Vote Counting Commission (CNRV) has confirmed. The presidential coalition Benno Bokk Yaakaar (BBY) took 49.48% of votes in Senegal's list system, while the coalitions of ex-President Abdoulaye Wade and Dakar Mayor Khalifa Sall trailed massively, receiving 19 seats and seven seats respectively. A report on the News24 site notes that 14 parties will be represented in the national parliament, where for the first time about 500 000 Senegalese living abroad will be represented by 15 ‘diaspora’ lawmakers. There were a record 47 lists of candidates contesting the election, and clashes between supporters of President Sall, Wade and Mayor Sall led to several arrests during the campaign.