Several members of Senegal's opposition have rejected the proposal by Senegal's national dialogue panel to hold presidential elections no earlier than June 3 this year and to extend President Macky Sall's term until a successor is appointed.
Thierno Alassane Sall, a former minister and presidential candidate, said that such a decision would violate the constitution.
"Even if the dialog reaches a consensus, it cannot overrule the law," he wrote on X. "Holding the presidential election after April 2 is against the constitution."
Former Prime Minister Aminata Toure, a member of the opposition, expressed similar sentiments, pointing to a possible institutional crisis in the event of later elections.
"I hope that the Constitutional Council will remind him of the law and that ultimately President Macky Sall will organize the polls before leaving. By seeking to set the date to June 2, it opens up institutional uncertainty which could lead to an institutional crisis,” he said.
Toure's candidacy was previously rejected by the council, but could be reconsidered under the commission's proposal, which would clear the way for Toure and other previously disqualified candidates to run.
On Tuesday, a member of the National Dialogue, Ndiawar Paye, disclosed that the best time to hold the elections would be early June, as May is inconvenient due to the celebration of several religious holidays.
Sall has called on participants in the national dialogue to reach a consensus on a date for the postponed presidential election - or he will ask the Constitutional Council to find a "replacement" for him when his mandate expires on April 2.
In early February, the leader of the West African nation revoked a decree to convene an electoral council on February 25, meaning that presidential elections will not be held on that date.
The leader's decision to postpone the presidential election led to protests in Senegal, which were dispersed with tear gas and reportedly resulted in the arrest of opposition activists.
However, later the Constitutional Council of Senegal overturned the president's decree.