Senegalese military vote for first time

DAKAR, Feb 17 (Reuters) Senegal's military voted for the first time in the 47 years since independence from France today, casting their votes in presidential elections a week ahead of civilian voters.

Veteran Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, favourite to win a fresh mandate in the West African state, pushed through legal changes which allowed soldiers to vote today and tomorrow.

The rest of the electorate will vote on February 25.

Long lines of soldiers in civilian dress formed at some polling stations in the seaside capital Dakar.

''I was very moved to vote for the first time in my life,'' said Malla Diey, a 56-year-old soldier. ''We are citizens and we should have the same right to vote as everyone else.'' Senegal is the only country in West Africa not to have experienced a coup since independence, and the military has played a low profile role in public life.

Many Senegalese have expressed surprise at the decision by Wade, who faces criticism over rampant unemployment and Senegal's poor infrastructure, to allow the military to vote.

''Soldiers and men in uniform in general must remain neutral, like judges. They should not vote,'' said one man outside a polling station, who asked not to be identified.

REUTERS AB KN2308