Anti-establishment candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye won the Senegalese presidential election with 54.28% of the votes in the first round.
He surpassed the governing coalition's candidate, former prime minister Amadou Ba, who received 35.79% of the votes.
Faye, aged 44, was recently released from prison and is set to become the youngest president in Senegal's history.
His victory needs validation by the constitutional body.
Aliou Mamadou Dia, who came in third place, received only 2.8% of the votes.
This marks the first time since Senegal's independence from France in 1960 that an opponent has won in the first round.
In the recent presidential election in Senegal, Faye's victory was officially confirmed by the vote counting commission, with a turnout of 61.3%.
The margin of his win was already clear before the announcement, but the commission's confirmation clears the way for a handover of power from outgoing President Macky Sall.
The turnout was less than in Sall's re-election in 2019 but higher than in 2012.
A swift handover of power is expected, but a political crisis caused by the last-minute postponement of the vote and rushed electoral timetable could delay the handover until after Sall's term ends on April 2.
However, if no appeals are made, a handover before then seems feasible in Senegal, which is known for its stability and democratic principles in a region prone to coups.
Presidential elections in Senegal have a 72-hour window for candidates to appeal to the Constitutional Council after results are announced.
If no appeals are made, the Council declares the final results.
Faye, a newcomer, has been declared the winner of the recent election with around 18 million people in this West African country.
His rivals, including Sall, have acknowledged his victory.
However, the lead-up to the election was marked by three years of tension and violence, resulting in dozens of deaths and hundreds of arrests.
Senegal's democratic reputation has been questioned due to the unrest.
Faye, a Senegalese political candidate, was previously detained but was released during the presidential election.
The election was praised by international observers and the African Union for its smooth running and peaceful atmosphere.
Joe Biden congratulated Faye and the Senegalese people for upholding the right to vote.
Faye has promised to restore national sovereignty and implement left-wing pan-Africanism, which could lead to significant institutional changes.
He has also pledged to govern with humility, transparency, and fight corruption.
The text summarizes Senegal's new president's plans for his presidency, which include prioritizing national reconciliation, rebuilding institutions, and reducing the cost of living.
He also reassured foreign partners that Senegal will continue to be a friendly and reliable ally for cooperative relationships.