Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade has withdrawn a proposed change to the electoral law, Reuters cited the government as saying. Wade's rivals had said the change would virtually guarantee his re-election against a fragmented opposition in a February presidential poll. Despite the concession, protesters and members of the security forces, using tear gas and water cannons, fought cat and mouse battles in the streets around the presidency and parliament. Government spokesman Serigne Mbacke Ndiaye said that the president had "listened to the Senegalese people, development partners and religious leaders" and decided to keep the present electoral system where a candidate needs more than 50 percent of the vote to win in the first round. The proposal had been to drop that figure to 25 percent. Wade is also seeking to create the position of vice president, however a proposal that remains in the bill. -- SPA
