Bassirou Diomaye Faye was born on 25 March 1980 in Ndiaganiao, a town in the Thiès region. He studied law at the Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (UCAD) and attended the Senegal School of Administration, where he later became a tax inspector. His entry into politics began with the creation of The African Patriots of Senegal Party for Work, Ethics, and Fraternity (PASTEF) in 2014. Ousmane Sonko led PASTEF; having held several positions within his party, Bassirou Diomaye Faye was appointed Secretary General of PASTEF in 2022. 

Bassirou Diomaye Faye was indicted by investigating Judge Mamadou Seck for contempt of court, defamation, and acts likely to compromise public peace because he had criticized the justice system when a verdict was announced in the trial of Ousmane Sonko on defamation of the Tourism Minister, Mame Mbaye Niang. The President-elect was granted amnesty on 6 March 2024 due to the amnesty law passed by the National Assembly, which granted amnesty to political prisoners for acts committed between 1 February 2021 and 25 February 2024. 

Bassirou Diomaye Faye, aged 44, emerged from prison just ten days before the election. He garnered support from the primary opposition faction’s electoral apparatus, formerly PASTEF. Despite his delicate appearance and neatly groomed beard, Faye, an Inspector of Taxes and Estates, secured the electorate’s trust, with his victory acknowledged by numerous contenders, notably his main rival, Amadou Ba.