Senegal's Wade in tight race for third term
Dakar, 27 Feb – (ANA) - Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade is in a tight race with his main rival Macky Sall, according to early unofficial tallies from the contentious poll signalling a run-off between the former allies.
The election follows weeks of violent street protests against the 85-year-old Wade's bid for a third term in office despite a two-term limit, and warnings that Senegal's reputation as an established democracy hangs in the balance.
"Figures at our disposal indicate that a second round is inevitable," Sall told Reuters on Monday. Moustapha Niasse, 72, another former ally of Wade's who is also in the race, said that given the results so far, Wade cannot win in the first round, adding that a coalition against Wade in the second round was a must. "Whatever the personality of the candidate who will face him (Wade) in the second round ... in any case, stopping Wade is an imperative, it is a necessity, this is a must," Niasse said on RFI radio. Prospects could change rapidly,however, as Wade claims strong support in rural areas of the country where figures may be slower to come in. He has said he is confident of a win in the election's first round of voting. (ANA)

FA/ANA/27 February 2012---------