The Regulatory Body of PASTEF-Les Patriotes (HARP) has made public its provisional list of candidates for the party’s upcoming presidential election. Following a thorough review of all submitted applications before the deadline of May 20, 2026, the governing body led by Mouhamadou Ngouda Mboup approved just one valid candidacy: that of incumbent president Ousmane Sonko. All other declarations were deemed inadmissible due to administrative and statutory deficiencies.
Deficiencies uncovered: unpaid dues and incomplete documentation
The HARP’s official report outlines the specific reasons behind the rejection of seven other candidacies. For Alassane Sow and El Hadji Moussa Gueye, the primary issue was their failure to meet annual membership fee obligations, which contravenes Article 16 of the party’s internal regulations. The body deemed this irregularity irreversible.
A series of formal oversights also led to rejections. Lat Grand Dione‘s application was disqualified for lacking the mandatory declaration addressed to the HARP chairperson. Pape Alioune Badara Gueye and El Hadji Madior Diop submitted applications missing the reverse side of their National Identity Cards or membership cards. Meanwhile, El Hadji Leyty Thiam withdrew his candidacy in writing, confirming through a notary and HARP members his decision to support Ousmane Sonko‘s bid.
Contestations window opens until May 22 before final list
The special session held on May 21, 2026, brought together Mouhamadou Ngouda Mboup (chairperson), Fatimata Sira Sarr, Mamadou Salif Sané, and Baye Niasse (members). This meeting marked the start of the contestation phase as per party statutes. According to Article 3 of the decision, candidates retain the right to file complaints no later than May 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Following this deadline, any pending disputes will be resolved, and the definitive list of presidential candidates for PASTEF will be finalized.
