Senegalese await the outcome of a peaceful presidential vote, following months of unrest
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Senegalese anxiously await the results of a presidential election following months of uncertainty and unrest. The vote was largely peaceful with a high turnout. More than 7 million people were registered to vote in a country of roughly 17 million. To win in the first round, a candidate must gain more than 50% or it goes to a runoff. A second round is likely between opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye and former Prime Minister Amadou Ba. Some opposition supporters believe their candidate has already won. This is Senegal's fourth democratic transfer of power since gaining independence from France. President Macky Sall is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term and is expected to step down on April 2. Months of deadly protests were ignited last summer by the jailing of the popular opposition leader Ousmane Sonko and concerns that the president wanted to stay in power. Sonko was released from prison ahead of the election. The atmosphere remained tense in some parts of the country as votes were counted.