Senegal's Constitutional Council ruled on Thursday that President Macky Sall's postponement of the February 25 presidential election was illegal and unconstitutional. The council also cancelled the National Assembly's move to reschedule the vote for December 14.
Several opposition candidates and lawmakers had challenged last week's parliamentary bill extending Sall's term while delaying the vote he had abruptly called off on February 3rd.
The council's judgement states the election delays violated the constitution. The ruling comes after violent protests over the past week that left three dead and dozens arrested.
Sall had cited issues with disqualified candidates and worries about unrest for postponing the vote in the normally stable West African democracy. But critics accused him of an "institutional coup" to extend his mandate.
International partners like the US condemned the delay and urged Senegal to quickly set a new date. Earlier on Thursday, several jailed government opponents were released in an apparent bid to ease tensions.
But opposition groups have issued new calls for protests on Friday after the court ruling overriding Sall's election suspension. The decision restoring the originally scheduled February 25th date restores some credibility to Senegal's democratic institutions.
However, the political crisis likely persists until a transparent vote is held, with Sall's intentions and respect for the court's decision still in question.