In Senegal's presidential election, opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye had a clear lead within hours of voting. Although no results were announced at the center last night, tallies released by observers and media from about half the polling stations showed the 43-year-old in the lead. The streets in the capital, Dakar, are filled with supporters.

The West African country of about 18 million people is going to the polls. It is about the succession of Macky Chall who has been ruling since 2012. According to preliminary calculations, his proposed successor, his former prime minister Amadou Ba, 62, came second. If no one gets more than 50 percent of the votes in the first round, a new election will be held. A total of 19 candidates contested.

A week-long political crisis

A week before the election there was a political crisis. Although Saul decided not to run for a controversial third term following political pressure, he later unexpectedly canceled the presidential election scheduled for February 25 on February 3 because of disagreements over the approval of the candidates.

After four deaths and weeks of protracted protests between institutions, the election was finally delayed by a month. The official result is expected next week.

Sustainable Democracy in an Unstable Region

Sall has been praised for championing economic development in the country, which is expected to begin oil and gas production this year. Human rights activists, however, have criticized restrictions on political freedoms during his tenure. Senegal is one of Africa's most stable democracies and, unlike many other countries in the region, has not experienced a coup or military coup since gaining independence from France in 1960.