WATCH: Senegal's presidential candidates kick off election campaigns

19 candidates have been approved to vie for the top job.

In Summary

• Presidential candidates in Senegal kicked off their election campaigns on Saturday, following weeks of violent protests across the African country after the vote was delayed.

• The 19 approved candidates vying for the top job now have a shorter period to rally supporters ahead of the March 24 election, expected to be the most tightly contested race since Senegal gained independence more than six decades ago.

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