PASTEF validates only Ousmane Sonko’s presidential bid

The High Authority for Party Regulation (HARP) of PASTEF-Les Patriotes has released decision no. 002/2026/HARP, which outlines the provisional list of candidates vying for the party presidency. Following a thorough review of all declaration submissions received before the May 20, 2026 deadline, the governing body led by Mouhamadou Ngouda Mboup has confirmed just one valid candidacy: that of incumbent president Ousmane Sonko. All other applications were dismissed due to administrative and statutory discrepancies.

Administrative flaws lead to multiple rejections

HARP’s ruling provides clear explanations for the rejection of the seven other hopefuls. For Alassane Sow and El Hadji Moussa Gueye, the authority cited an “irremediable irregularity”—their failure to comply with mandatory membership fee obligations, directly violating Article 16 of the party’s internal regulations.

Other candidacies were invalidated for technical reasons. Lat Grant Dione’s application was struck down for omitting the mandatory declaration addressed to the HARP president. Meanwhile, Pape Alioune Badara Gueye and El Hadji Madior Diop submitted incomplete identification documents, lacking the reverse side of either their National Identity Card or membership card. The case of El Hadji Leyty Thiam took an unexpected turn when he formally withdrew his bid via a sworn statement submitted to the HARP, pledging his support for Ousmane Sonko instead.

Window for appeals opens until May 22

During a special session held on May 21, 2026, chaired by Mouhamadou Ngouda Mboup alongside members Fatimata Sira Sarr, Mamadou Salif Sané, and Baye Niasse, the appeals process was officially initiated. According to Article 3 of the decision, any candidate may lodge a formal complaint no later than 5:00 PM on May 22, 2026. Once this period closes and all disputes are resolved, the definitive list of presidential hopefuls for PASTEF will be finalized.