The PASTEF-Les Patriotes party has officially announced its provisional list of presidential candidates for the upcoming election, following a rigorous review by the Haute Autorité de Régulation du Parti (HARP). Under the leadership of Chairperson Mouhamadou Ngouda Mboup, the regulatory body has deemed only one candidacy—Ousmane Sonko’s—as valid, rejecting all others due to administrative and statutory discrepancies.
Key Reasons Behind the Rejections
The HARP’s decision, documented in its ruling No. 002/2026/HARP, outlines the specific grounds for the disqualification of the seven other aspirants. Alassane Sow and El Hadji Moussa Gueye were barred for failing to meet membership fee obligations, violating Article 16 of the party’s bylaws. Their delinquency was deemed irreparable, leaving no room for appeal.
For Lat Grant Dione, the absence of the mandatory candidacy declaration addressed to the HARP president was the decisive factor. Meanwhile, Pape Alioune Badara Gueye and El Hadji Madior Diop faced rejection after the verification process revealed missing details on their National Identity Cards or party membership documents. In a separate case, El Hadji Leyty Thiam voluntarily withdrew his bid, submitting a notarized statement in support of Ousmane Sonko’s candidacy.
Final Deadline for Appeals Approaches
The regulatory body convened on May 21, 2026, to formalize its provisional list, with Mouhamadou Ngouda Mboup joined by members Fatimata Sira Sarr, Mamadou Salif Sané, and Baye Niasse. According to Article 3 of the decision, candidates retain the right to file appeals until May 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Post-deadline, any disputes will be resolved, and the final list of presidential hopefuls will be locked in place.