Senegal’s democratic landscape stands at a crossroads as the nation grapples with the fundamental question of how to make its electoral system truly reflective of its diverse population. Khalidou dit Mbaye Sokoma, leader of the Patriotic Movement for Sustainable Development (MPPD) / AND DEFAR SUNU REEW, has entered the fray with a bold proposal that seeks to address long-standing structural imbalances in the country’s political representation. The focus? A fundamental reassessment of how electoral outcomes translate into parliamentary and local governance.
Why Senegal’s current electoral system falls short
The backbone of Senegal’s legislative elections combines two competing models: a first-past-the-post system awarding 112 out of 165 parliamentary seats, and a proportional representation system covering the remaining 53 seats based on national lists. Municipal elections follow a similar pattern, with 45% of seats allocated through majority voting and 55% through proportional representation.
While this hybrid model emerged from decades of political negotiation, Khalidou dit Mbaye Sokoma argues it has created a disconnect between voter intent and legislative composition. The result? A parliament and local councils that, in his view, do not fully encapsulate the political diversity expressed at the ballot box, particularly outside urban centers.
Key reform pillars: proportionality and territorial rootedness
At the core of Sokoma’s proposition is the call for a full proportional representation system—both in legislative and local elections—paired with a renewed emphasis on geographic accountability. This is not merely about seat distribution, but about redefining how elected officials engage with their constituents.
The proposal envisions a shift away from exclusive party control over candidate selection. Instead, it welcomes independent candidates, civil society leaders, and even qualified public servants—provided they meet rigorous eligibility criteria. The goal is to foster a crop of representatives whose legitimacy stems not only from party affiliation but from deep community ties and transparent accountability.
From party delegates to citizen-chosen voices
The current system often reduces deputies to “party agents,” selected by internal caucuses and beholden primarily to party leadership. Sokoma’s model aims to invert this hierarchy. Here, parliamentarians would be seen as delegates of specific territories—identified by neighborhoods and municipalities—and obligated to report regularly to the communities they serve. Political parties would retain a supportive role, but would no longer monopolize the selection process or the mandate of representation.
Strengthening local governance with decisive second rounds
Sokoma proposes applying full proportional representation to municipal and departmental elections to better capture local political diversity. Yet, to ensure stable governance, he introduces a critical safeguard: a mandatory second round in local elections where no list secures an absolute majority (over 50% of the vote).
This mechanism would prevent fragmented councils and encourage broader coalitions, provided that impact assessments—legal, financial, and administrative—are conducted beforehand. The aim is not just representation, but functional governance that reflects the will of the people without descending into administrative paralysis.
Bringing elections closer to the people
Decentralization of electoral administration is another cornerstone of the proposal. Sokoma advocates for a greater role of regional and local officials—prefects and sub-prefects—within clearly defined jurisdictions. This territorialization would be supervised by a national oversight body to ensure fairness and impartiality, while fostering direct dialogue between state authorities and grassroots communities.
Such a model seeks to rebuild trust in the electoral process by making every vote more visible and every candidate more accessible.
Kaolack’s unique challenge: urban sprawl demands new political geography
The city of Kaolack presents a microcosm of Senegal’s urban-rural evolution. Spanning nearly 69.6 km², home to over 1.3 million people across 45 neighborhoods, and serving as a major economic hub, Kaolack’s administrative boundaries no longer align with its social and economic realities.
Sokoma calls for a targeted restructuring: the creation of three or four municipal districts or arrondissement-level entities based on rigorous criteria—population density, infrastructure development, economic activity zones, revenue capacity, and administrative capacity. This would allow for more responsive local governance and closer representation for residents in rapidly growing urban areas.
A call for national dialogue: democracy must reflect every citizen
Sokoma frames his proposals as the beginning of a broader national conversation—not a partisan ultimatum. He envisions a pluralistic, evidence-based debate aimed at designing a system where the vote of every Senegalese citizen, in every village and neighborhood, directly shapes the composition of national and local institutions.
The ultimate test of a democratic system, he argues, lies not in its theoretical elegance, but in the clarity with which citizens can trace their ballot to a voice in the assembly—and see that voice held accountable to their needs.
