By Diadie Ba DAKAR, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade is aiming for a decisive victory in polls on Sunday, but opponents including former allies vow to challenge the legitimacy of any outright first round win by the veteran politician. The dapper, octogenarian leader told supporters at his final rally on Friday he was certain to take more than 50 percent of votes, meaning there would be no need for a second round. Some of the 14 contenders hoping to replace him as leader of the country, a former French colony on Africa's westernmost tip, have publicly warned they will dispute the result as fraudulent if he wins outright. "I hope the election will pass off smoothly. But already one of the candidates is saying he's sure to win when we haven't even voted yet. Something's not right there," said Alioune Diop, 27, a street seller in the oceanside capital, Dakar. Wade was elected president in 2000, ending four decades of socialist rule. An economic liberal, he argues he has boosted Senegal's reputation as a stable democracy in a troubled region notorious for wars and coups. His campaign has included ambitious job-creation projects to build highways, five-star hotels, railways and airports in the country in a bid to try to stop an exodus of desperate young migrants who have tried to leave for Europe in recent years. The campaign has largely been peaceful although followers of a religious leader allied to Wade attacked supporters of a rival candidate on Wednesday, turning over cars and injuring at least three people. SECOND ROUND ALLIANCES Wade is expected to lead Sunday's vote but some doubt he will carry the election in the first round. The publication of opinion polls has been forbidden during campaigning. Polling stations will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (0800-1800 GMT) with initial results expected from Monday. His opponents criticise him for failing to tackle rural poverty, weak infrastructure, rising prices and a lack of jobs in a country where more than half the population is under 18. Few of the urban youths who helped carry Wade to victory in 2000 are expected to swing back to the socialists but the picture could be different in the less-developed interior. "People have warmed to Wade in the interior, but the socialists are still very popular after being in power for 40 years," said Modou Ndaw, a 45-year-old teacher. Another key contender, popular former prime minister and one-time Wade protege Idrissa Seck, could emerge as a kingmaker if the incumbent fails to win in the first round. Seck has ruled out a second-round alliance with his former political godfather. He told Reuters last week that the bad blood between them, which has coloured the run-up to the polls, was final despite Wade's claims that the two had made up. As they go to vote in 12,000 polling stations, many Senegalese simply hope the polls will consolidate a reputation for stability in one of the few countries in West Africa never to have seen a coup d'etat. "We want peace on election day and may the best man win," said Babacar Sall, a 36-year-old teacher.
