PS leader Abdou Diouf, who is running for re-election, has formidable foes. Political analysts say the need for change is the central debate in this campaign. A professor of political science and law at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, Babacar Gueye, told IRIN the opposition wanted to legitimise the state, fight crime and bring more social and economic benefits to the public.
All parties are conscious that Senegal is, undoubtedly, badly governed.
As such, the URD proposes a separation of powers between the executive, the legislature and an independent judiciary. The president of the republic concentrates all power in his hands. We want a restoration of parliamentary democracy where the leader of the majority in parliament becomes, ipso facto, head of government. In addition, the URD wants an independent national electoral commission to oversee polls at all levels. Just how, it does not say and cynics claim the PS has had since independence to do so.