The original election date was chosen on 1 December 2016 after a meeting between the President of Senegal Macky Sall and the Opposition in the National Assembly.

The opposition's failure to unite was viewed as a boon for President Sall, making it appear more likely that he would keep his parliamentary majority; if his supporters lost, he would be forced into cohabitation for the remaining two years of his term, greatly curtailing his powers.

Wade, who had been living in France, returned to Dakar on 10 July to begin campaigning for his coalition, Manko Wattu Sénégal.

[6] Prime Minister Dionne, speaking on 31 July, said that the pro-Sall Benno Bokk Yaakaar coalition had prevailed in 42 out of the 45 departments of Senegal (all but Kédougou, Saraya and "probably" Mbacké).

[9] Results for Dakar released on 3 August showed Benno Bokk Yaakaar slightly ahead of Khalifa Sall's coalition, Manko Taxawu Sénégal.