Opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye wins the first round of the presidential election in Senegal, Reuters reports.
Celebrations erupted in the capital Dakar following the announcement, and several of the country's 19 presidential candidates have congratulated Faye, most recently ruling coalition candidate Amadou Ba.
To win in the first round, more than 50 percent of the votes are required. The preliminary election results are expected on Tuesday.
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Politicians off the ballot may have decided the election
According to early information from the polling stations, Bassirou Diomaye Faye seems to be the next president of Senegal - he thus defeats the ruling coalition's candidate Amandou Ba.
Le Monde describes it as "a political earthquake" and a clear mark against the ruling coalition, which some believe has tried to undermine democracy to extend its time in power.
But the question is whether the election is not really between two people who are not on the ballots at all, reports Al Jazeera.
- This is a very unusual choice. People are celebrating outside the home of a politician who didn't even stand - Ousmane Sonko, says the newspaper's correspondent Nicolas Haque from Dakar.
Sonko, who has enormous support within the opposition, has been banned from standing in the election himself. Instead, he has supported Faye, and they have both campaigned under the slogan "Diomaye is Sonko".
For Amandou Bas, an important part of his campaign has been to press for continuity and experience. He is supported by incumbent President Macky Sall, who for the first time in Senegal's history is not on a ballot himself.
- The loss in the first round of elections is a defeat for Macky Sall rather than for Amandou Ba, says a diplomatic source to Le Monde.
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