The Senegalese National Assembly has taken a decisive step in the fight against parliamentary absenteeism. On Friday, May 8, 2026, a bill toughening sanctions against absent elected officials was adopted by an overwhelming majority: 127 votes in favor , 3 against, and 2 abstentions.

A new scale of sanctions

The text, sponsored by the Pastef majority, clarifies Article 118 of the internal regulations, which until now had been largely ignored. The aim is to establish a clear hierarchy of disciplinary measures:

1. From 4 unjustified absences: A formal warning is sent to the MP.
2. Financial sanctions: Suspension of parliamentary allowances in case of repeat offences.
3. After 10 unjustified absences: The ultimate sanction is the automatic loss of the mandate (resignation by default).

"Graduated sanctions should have been provided for... There are enough guarantees to allow MPs to do their job properly," explains Ayib Daffé , president of the Pastef parliamentary group.

A shared opposition between skepticism and anger

While the law passed by a wide margin, it is not unanimously supported within the assembly. Criticism focuses on two main points:

1. The legitimacy of the legislative power: For Cheikh Ahmed Tidiane Youm (PUR deputy), the Assembly has no right to revoke a mandate. According to him, managing absences falls under the internal discipline of political parties, not the law.
2. The order of priorities: Thierno Alassane Sall, who voted against it, denounced the measure as "populist." He emphasized that a quorum had never been lacking during this legislative session and believed that the debate should instead focus on the country's debt or economic policies.

The opacity of the figures

Despite this new legislative rigor, the true extent of the problem remains a mystery. When contacted, the National Assembly administration was unable to provide the exact number of members of parliament (out of 165 seats) considered to be "systematically absent."

By responding that the government legislates "priority by priority", Ayib Daffé maintains his course: the credibility of the parliamentary institution depends on the physical presence of its members.