Three EPP Group Members will monitor the upcoming Presidential elections in Senegal, the first round taking place on 26 February 2012.

EPP Group MEP Cristian Dan Preda from Romania will lead the EP's team of 7 MEPs. Other EPP Group Members include Gaston Franco (France) and Santiago Fisas Ayxela (Spain).

To date, rival supporters have already clashed in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, ahead of next weekend's election. Police used tear gas and some supporters have lost their lives.

There are 14 candidates running in the election. Current President Abdoulaye Wade is running for a third time. But acquiring more than 50% of the votes will be hard for any of the candidates because of the sheer number of candidates. So a second round is a strong possibility.