Senegal referendum on length of president's term

Описание: (20 Mar 2016) Senegalese residents on Sunday voted on a constitutional referendum that could see sweeping reforms including a reduction of presidential powers and shortening terms from seven to five years, on a continent where many leaders try to hold onto power.
According to the election commission more than five (m) million people are expected to vote Sunday to determine if 15 reforms will be adopted.
The proposed changes include measures to strengthen the National Assembly, improve representation for Senegalese abroad, provide greater rights for the opposition and boost the participation of independent candidates in elections.
President Macky Sall, who was voted into office in 2012, announced the proposed term limits in March 2015, saying he wanted to set an example for other African countries.
During his campaign he said he would serve a reduced term. In February, however, the Constitutional Court rejected his proposal to shorten his present term, saying the referendum vote would determine future limits.
"This referendum has been proposed to reinforce our already great democracy and also to give a new dimension to our rights," Sall said after voting in Fatick, about 155 kilometres (96 miles) southeast of Dakar.
Senegal's seven-year term was set under the previous president, Abdoulaye Wade, who flouted a two-term limit to run against Sall.
Some voters said they voted "no" because they mistrust Sall, who they say has delayed reducing the length of his own presidential term.

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