He’s banking on the country’s 6.5 million voters favoring him over three other candidates because of impressive infrastructure projects introduced since he took power in 2012.

Today elections are the first since Senegalese voted in a referendum to reduce the presidential term from seven to five years. 

There’s unhappiness that Sall’s two major rival Karim Wade – son of former president Abdoulaye Wade – and former Dakar Mayor Khalifa Sall have been excluded from running because of corruption convictions.

Sall’s banking on voters showing their appreciation for delivery of a new long bridge between Gambia and Senegal, a new airport, a futuristic city of Diamniado, a railway and the Museum of African History.

More than half the population who live under the poverty line say these projects do to alleviate their plight.

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Senegal has had three peaceful transitions of power since independence in 1960.

Incumbent Macky Sall is hoping this will not be fourth.

Senegal’s been in the news for infrastructure developments like a new train, a long bridge across the Gambia River and the Museum of Black Civilisation.

Some of these were initiated by former president Abdoulaye Wade who is calling  for a boycott of the poll where Sall faces four opponents.

Half of Senegal’s 6,6 million registered voters live below the poverty line and ask what use the infrastructure developments are if they don’t have jobs to go to.

With half the country’s population under 19, young voters will have the most muscular say in this election.

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The problems arose from authorities inability to distribute biometric identity cards.

After casting his ballot, President Macky Sall commended the smooth running of the election,

However, former president Abdoulaye Wade, who contested yesterday’s poll for a parliamentary seat, described the confusion and inefficiency as a shame.

Voters were required to present a biometric identity card to access the polling station.

But at least 30% of citizens have not received their cards.

They should have been allowed to vote using certificates of having registered for a card or a passport.

But in hundreds of cases, these documents were not enough to gain access to  polling stations because they needed to be stamped and officially verified.

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