PASTEF confirms only Ousmane Sonko’s candidacy valid ahead of party election
HARP validates sole candidacy for PASTEF leadership election
The High Authority for Party Regulation (HARP) of PASTEF-Les Patriotes has released its provisional decision on candidate eligibility for the upcoming party presidential election. Following a thorough review of all submitted applications before the May 20, 2026 deadline, the regulatory body chaired by Mouhamadou Ngouda Mboup has approved only one valid candidacy: that of incumbent president Ousmane Sonko.
All seven competing applications were disqualified due to administrative and statutory deficiencies. The detailed rejection reasons highlight recurring compliance failures among the rejected candidates.
Common disqualification grounds: financial and procedural lapses
The HARP report identifies multiple grounds for rejection:
- Financial non-compliance: Candidates Alassane Sow and El Hadji Moussa Gueye failed to meet membership fee obligations as required by Article 16 of the party’s internal regulations.
- Missing documentation: Lat Grant Dione submitted an incomplete file lacking the mandatory declaration addressed to the HARP chairperson.
- Documentation errors: Pape Alioune Badara Gueye and El Hadji Madior Diop presented identification documents with critical omissions, including missing reverse sides of their national ID cards or membership cards.
- Withdrawal declaration: El Hadji Leyty Thiam formally withdrew his candidacy, confirming his support for Ousmane Sonko through an official notarized statement.
Finalization deadline approaches for PASTEF presidential race
Following the May 21, 2026 special session—attended by HARP chair Mouhamadou Ngouda Mboup and members Fatimata Sira Sarr, Mamadou Salif Sané, and Baye Niasse—the appeal period for rejected candidates is now open. According to Decision Article 3, candidates may file complaints no later than May 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
Once the appeal window closes and all disputes are resolved, the definitive list of presidential candidates for PASTEF will be finalized, effectively concluding the candidate validation process.
