The head of President Macky Sall's coalition, Aminata Toure, said on television that it had won 30 of the country's 46 administrative departments, giving it a slim parliamentary majority.

But the opposition Yewwi Wallu coalition disputed her remarks and claimed it had a "comfortable majority", after gaining ground in the capital, Dakar.

Provisional overall results are expected no later than Friday from the electoral commission.

These polls are an important test for President Sall, after local elections in March saw the opposition win in several major cities.

He has promised to appoint a prime minister from whichever coalition wins.