March 19, 2000
DAKAR, Senegal (PANA) - Senegalese opposition leader and presidential candidate Abdoulaye Wade, Sunday expressed doubts over the neutrality of certain representatives of the administration during the second round of voting in the country's presidential elections.
Speaking after casting his vote at the Franco-Arab school in Point E residential area in Dakar, Wade who was accompanied by wife charged that election supervisors had been changed in violation of the electoral code.
Wade, candidate of the opposition alliance "Alternance Front" also denounced what he termed as attempts to rig the vote in polling centres where he had beaten his rival, President Abdou Diouf of the ruling Socialist Party during the first round on 27 February.
Wade urged his supporters, the youth in particular, to be vigilant so as to prevent what he termed as the "confiscation of the people's sovereignity."
"If all goes as well everywhere as here, then I am optimistic," declared Wade to journalists waiting for him outside the polling station.
He, however, declined to predict who between him and the incumbent Abdou Diouf, would emerge victorious, saying he would say something at the end of voting at 18 hours GMT.
Wade came second during the first ballot with 31.1 percent behind Diouf, who polled 41,30 percent.
In the second ballot, Wade is being backed by six of the unsuccessful candidates during the first round while Diouf enjoys the support of one.