LONDON - Voters are set to cast their ballots in more than 50 countries over the next 12 months. The most hotly anticipated elections in Africa will take place in the continent’s most industrialized economy and a West African nation whose reputation for political stability is likely to be tested. Those votes — in South Africa and Senegal — are among 15 polls scheduled on the continent this year.
South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) is in danger of losing its majority for the first time since taking power 30 years ago following the end of the apartheid era. Analysts predict swaths of the electorate could turn their back on the ANC in the general election due to their handling of struggling state run companies that have overseen regular electricity blackouts, backlogs at ports and freight train networks, along with alleged corruption. Even if the ANC loses its majority, it’s still widely expected to be the largest political party, which would see it form a coalition for the first time.
Voters will choose a new president in Senegal where Macky Sall has served the maximum two terms. In a subregion beset by coups in recent years, the nation has stood out for its peaceful transfers of power in recent decades. But a legal battle over the eligibility of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko to run has prompted protests in the last few months. It still remains unclear whether Sonko, who is popular among Senegalese youth, will run and the uncertainty has created a volatile atmosphere around next month’s vote.
Other notable democratic exercises will take place in Ghana, where a December election will yield a new president because Nana Akufo-Addo has served two terms, plus Chad and Guinea — both of which are ruled by military juntas. Chad’s military rulers have vowed to hold an election in 2024. And the head of Guinea’s ruling junta has said a constitutional referendum will be held as part of a transition back to civilian rule. The success or failure of votes in those two countries could influence putschists elsewhere in West Africa.
