Outgoing President Macky Sall, whose term ends on April 2, has promised a peaceful transition after the country's top court blocked his attempts to delay the election for 10 months.

Several candidates are running, but two former tax inspectors, one representing the government and the other the main opposition coalition, are considered frontrunners.

However, recent protests have turned deadly, with protesters calling for the vote to be held before Sall stepped down.

Sall, who has led Senegal for 12 years, is leaving a controversial legacy, accused of destabilizing the country through his attempts to prolong his power by suppressing the opposition and abruptly postponing polls.

Senegal's parliamentary speaker, Mohamed Dionne Sall, delayed a vote without apology, stating he acted within the law.

Senegal, known for stability in West Africa, is holding a presidential race this Sunday with polls open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Analysts anticipate a contested election and potential violence, particularly if the opposition coalition's candidate loses, as they have questioned the credibility of Senegalese institutions.

In the Senegalese presidential election, 19 candidates are running to succeed Macky Sall.

Analyst Mamadou Thior predicts a two-horse race between Sall's handpicked candidate Amadou Ba from the ruling coalition, and Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a substitute for opposition leader Ousmane Sonko.

Sonko was barred from the polls after his conviction on a defamation charge was upheld, which he unsuccessfully appealed.

Sonko, a 49-year-old opposition leader known for his fiery rhetoric, has faced multiple legal issues since 2021, including a rape charge which he was cleared of, but was also found guilty of "immoral behavior" towards minors.

In the Senegalese presidential election, two candidates, Sonko and Faye, have gained significant support among the population, particularly the youth who make up over 60% of the population.

Sonko, a former mayor of Dakar and businessman, has faced legal battles that his supporters believe are politically motivated.

Faye, a former tax inspector and political detainee, was chosen as a backup candidate for Sonko after their party was dissolved and has had a short campaign period due to his recent release from prison.

Both candidates have sparked intense debates and support across the country, with Sonko having a longer campaign period due to his earlier start.

Last week, two political prisoners, including former President Abdoulaye Wade, were released in Senegal following an amnesty decree by current President Macky Sall.

In the upcoming presidential election, a candidate needs over 50% of the votes to win.

If no candidate achieves an absolute majority in the first round, a run-off election will take place after two weeks.

Approximately 7 million out of Senegal's 18 million registered voters will participate in the election.

According to political analyst Thior, the electorate is open to "new faces," and it's likely that the next president will come from the opposition due to the desire for change.

Former President Abdoulaye Wade, despite being a potential candidate, may face challenges due to his association with Macky Sall, who has been in power for 12 years.

In the upcoming Senegal presidential election, Idrissa Seck, a former prime minister and runner-up in the 2019 election, is a leading opposition candidate.

He has expressed his desire to bring about change in the country and has urged voters to choose between continuity and a paradigm shift.

Macky Sall, the current president, is seeking re-election.

Another prominent candidate is Ousmane Sonko, an opposition leader and key ally of Faye.

The election is significant for Senegal's youth, who are seeking solutions to high unemployment and rising food prices.

Faye has declared his assets and urged transparency in the management of public funds, but he has not specified Sonko's role in his government if elected.

Senegal is facing a cost-of-living crisis due to record high inflation of 15% in 2022, leading to an exodus of youth seeking better opportunities in Europe via the treacherous Atlantic Ocean route.

Nearly 40,000 people made the dangerous journey last year, with many losing their lives.

Unemployment is a major factor driving this migration, as President Sall has failed to create jobs.

Senegal's economy, which has traditionally relied on revenue from mining, tourism, construction, fishing, and agriculture, is now focusing on exploring oil and gas reserves.

The International Monetary Fund predicts that this will boost the country's economy.

Both ruling coalition candidate Ba and opponent Faye have promised to create jobs, but Faye has strongly campaigned against corruption and vowed to renegotiate energy contracts as Senegal prepares to launch oil and gas production later in the year.

An issue of concern is the fair distribution of income and revenues from these resources.

Faye, in a recent interview with CNN, stated that a country cannot advance when corruption and the misappropriation of public funds are prevalent.