Senegal held a successful runoff election for president on March 25th, resulting in the defeat of two-term President Abdoulaye Wade. Despite fears that Wade would refuse to go quietly and that violence would result, he conceded defeat to opposition candidate Mackey Sall and Senegal experienced a relatively smooth transfer of power. Journalists were credited with getting out the results early and professionally, making it difficult to dispute the outcome.
Journalists went to the polls to report live, interviewing observers, members of the polling stations and the public to make sure things were proceeding normally.
Members of the media monitoring team assess coverage during the elections. This election has confirmed the important role that media can play in ensuring regularity at the polls.
All day long, people and political leaders were calling the radio and TV stations to tell them about cases of wrongdoing, so that journalists could fact check and report.
