Sall wins Senegalese poll with 65.8%

[iolsa]

Senegal's Macky Sall won the presidential election with 65.8 percent, a crushing victory over outgoing president Abdoulaye Wade who trailed with 34.2 percent, official results showed Tuesday.

Voter turnout stood at 55 percent in an election which saw the beaten incumbent accept defeat just hours after polls closed, winning him praise from around the world.

This was a slight improvement from a first round of voting when only 51 percent turned out following four weeks of violent protests  over Wade's efforts to seek a third term in office.

Despite fears he would try to cling to power if beaten, Wade bowed out after 12 years in office.

Sall, 50, a former prime minister and trained geologist, will be  inaugurated on April 3, becoming the country's first leader born after independence. - Sapa-AFP



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