West Africa's main economic and political bloc ECOWAS has urged Senegalese politicians to urgently take measures to re-establish an electoral calendar in line with the constitution after parliament delayed the February 25 presidential vote to December.
The bloc added in a statement on Tuesday that it was following the situation with concern, and called on both politicians and the public to help promote peace.
Lawmakers late on Monday approved a last-minute amendment to hold the vote on December 15, sealing an extension of President Macky Sall's mandate that has sparked street protests and international alarm.
The surprise postponement has dismayed those who thought Senegal would stick to a standard electoral course - something that has become increasingly uncommon in West Africa, where ECOWAS is grappling with the fallout of a series of military takeovers in other countries in recent years.
Sall, who is not standing in the vote and has reached the constitutional limit of two terms in power, has said the delay was necessary due to a dispute over the candi date list and alleged corruption within the constitutional body that handled the list.
The opposition have launched various legal challenges that could lead to prolonged wrangling in the courts.
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