Marie Sock has pulled out of a coalition that is looking to reject the election of President Adama Barrow by Gambians.

UDP leader Darboe and his political coalition that comprises Marie Sock and BB Darbo’s GFA as well as Mamma Kandeh and Essa Faal held a press conference on Sunday to reject the election results.

But Marie Sock wrote today: “Good morning my beautiful Gambia, it is a beautiful day, new beginnings and lots of hope for the future of The Gambia, let us be positive in whatever we do and advocate for peace!

“This was a great journey for me and truly, I felt the love of my fellow brothers and sisters of The Gambia.

“Gambians have selected a leader H.E Adama Barrow, and as a Gambian, I am wishing him well and hope that all that he promised for the good of The Gambia is realized during his second term.

“My apologies to people offended by my stance, I am only human and some of my actions were geared towards the love of my country.

“To my supporters, thank you for standing with me, struggling with me, laughing and crying with me, it is quite a journey and I love you all dearly .. The Journey continues…”

MPs Omar Ceesay and Alhagie Sowe of opposition Gambia Democratic Congress have congratulated President Adama Barrow for winning the 2021 presidential election despite their leader rejecting the poll.

Mamma Kandeh was by UDP leader Ousainou Darboe’s side on Sunday as he read a joint statement rejecting the election results.

But MP Omar Ceesay wrote: “Despite our political differences, I wish to Congratulate president-elect Barrow, NPP, and all the other candidates. Wishing you all the best.”

MP Alhagie Sowe of Jimara on his part wrote: “Congratulations my brother, President-elect Barrow for your victory and other Candidates. The Gambian people have spoken, and I respect their verdict.

“We may have different political affiliations, but at the end of the day we are one people aiming to better the life of the citizens of this country.”

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe addresses his supporters on Sunday evening where he also sang with them after his shocking electoral loss to his son Adama Barrow.

His supporters shouted ‘wee Darboe’ and ‘Allahu Akbar’ as Darboe emerged out of his house to address them in front of his Pipeline home late on Sunday.

After taking the podium, Darboe started singing his party’s ‘ale fongsa jeh (where is he, I must see him) song.

He then told his supporters: “My UDP family I know how you feel, I know that this was not what you expected. You didn’t expect this because you know how hard you have worked, you know how well conducted your campaigns have been and because of that, the results announced so far are shocking, surprising and unimaginable.

“But what the UDP family is known for… UDP family is known for peace, UDP is known for calmness, UDP family is known for tolerance. Therefore, I call on all of you to be peaceful, to be calm and to let your trusted leaders deal with this situation.

“I ask you all to protect the good image of the United Democratic Party. The values that our party stands for are the values that we shall embrace and we must not therefore do anything that will run contrary to those values. So please let us go about our business peacefully.

“This evening, candidate Essa Faal and candidate Mamma Kandeh as well as the leaders of the GFA and Marie Sock independent aspirant visited me and in fact Marie Sock and GFA came at my invitation but the other two candidates visited and we all have adopted a common stand and that common stand is in your interest. We will not betray you, we will not disappoint you but please, I ask you also not to disappoint me. Listen to us and whatever action we take will be in the best interest of not only our party but also in the best interest of The Gambia.”

Citizens’ Alliance has issued a statement congratulating President Adama Barrow for winning the 2021 presidential election.

CA’s statement reads: “Following the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) official declaration of the final results of the December 4 presidential election, the Citizens’ Alliance (CA) wishes to congratulate His Excellency, President Adama Barrow on his successful re-election.

“We wish to equally congratulate all Gambians, particularly the women, differently abled, the old and young people, for coming out in their large numbers to cast their votes for the candidate of their choice. The voter turnout has been unprecedentedly high.

“Mr. President-Elect, Gambians have communicated their trust in you through their votes in anticipation of your fulfilment of campaign promises. We challenge you to roll your sleeves and adequately respond to the many wishes of Gambians and the numerous responsibilities of being a President. As you prepare to steer the affairs of the country for the next five years, CA wishes to assure you (the Head of State) and the Gambian people its commitment towards the new chapter of our beloved country and the consolidation of our nascent democracy.

“We join you, the general public and the International Community to call on all Gambians to accept the results, following confirmations of a free, fair and transparent election by the election observers, both domestic and international.

“Finally, we seize this opportunity to extend our sincere wishes, gratitude and commendations to the other presidential candidates for fairly participating in this very important electoral process and for conducting a peaceful campaign.”

Ayatollah Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly has congratulated President Adama Barrow for winning the 2021 presidential election.

Below is Mr Batchilly’s statement;

In the name of Allah SWT, The Most Merciful and the most Beneficient.

Alhamdulilahi Rabbil Alameen. WALA hawla wala Quwata Ella Billahi Aliyul Azeem. May peace and blessings of Allah SWT be upon The Holy Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. multiple fold forever. Asalamu Alaikum Warahmatullah wabarakaatu  to all Gambians and to My brother and Statesman H.E Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of the Gambia.

On this Great Day of your’s, and this wonderful day in The Nation’s Political History, and ours  –  a day when the Independent Electoral Commission of The Gambia have declared H.E Adama Barrow as President Elect of the December 4th Elections..

Following this declaration as Winner of the recently concluded elections, I   would like to express our profound congratulations to H.E President Elect Adama Barrow on his election victory- on my behalf and on behalf of both the  Gambia Action Party and the Grand NPP led Coalition that made this victory possible by God’s help and Might.

As the Nation enters a new phase of the NPP Grand Coalition led Government for the First time, I pray for President Barrow and his entire Cabinet to be blessed by Allah SWT and Guided with knowledge, wisdom, truth, Honorable steadfastness in a rigorous pursuit of the National Development Agenda and promote inclusive dialogue, diversity, tolerance, professionalism and a conducive environment for socio economic development growth, acceleration of living standards and livelihoods and a more coordinated approach to Donor driven Development Programmes to support ongoing attainment of all Supplementary Development Goals of The United Nations and its multiple Agencies guided programmes for impact driven development action and results.

We call for peace, reconciliation, solidarity, equality, equitable access to National opportunities for all Residents and foreign Nationals  and Government support for all communities, tribes, religious communities as one people with the National interest above partisan or sectarian interests.

I take this opportunity to remind myself of the urgent need for an orientation toward a positive and proactive National Unity oriented Government Agenda and Politicaldispensation. for which the Newly Elected Government will extend a hand of Parrnership, cooperation and opportunities to work with with all Opposition members as Citizens to champion a National call for Peace and accelrated development that reflects Gambia’s National Pledge which I humbly remind the entire Gambian people.

“It is the combination of Government and people working together in unison and harmony, that still lead us to achieve the progress that we all desire.

We must stand together as one people with one goal and move forward as one Nation.

For if we insist on pursuing our personal goals without keeping our collective, Objectives and responsibilities in mind, Then indeed we shall be divided and divided and then  indeed we shall fall.”

We as Muslims and People of Faith believe firm and Trust in Allah SWT whether we win or lose, alive or dead, poor or rich, healthy or sick, in good times or bad times and we must as one People accept God’s will at all times and we must strive now to work together to redidicate ourselves to Allah SWT foremost, Fear Allah SWt utmost and do good for ourselves, societies, The Nation we all belong and humanity af large. This is the sure way forward.

In this we trust and pray that Allah SWT will settle all our affairs and make Gambia a model for Peace, Progress and Prosperity for all.

I would like to extend gratitude to the IEC, the Election Observers, ECOMIG Forces, The Gambia Police Force and Security Forces, The Inspector General of Police, The Navy, The Immigration Department,  Gambia Revenue Authority and Customs, The Media particularly GRTS, other TV Stations and media Outlets locally, regionally and internationally…despite the usual twists of sinister acrimony meted out bluntly during fierce rhetoric of Party Politics. Ultimately all these supported the Election and campaign processes and Political Parties motives expectations and interets.

We would like to specifically thank Gambia Press Union and all its Partners; special gratitude  to Fatu Network, Gambia Talents TV, Paradise TV, Eye Africa TV, QTV, Sen  TV Senegal, Africa News TV and others.

We would like to also thank the Civil Society Organizations under TANGO, Community Organizations, Alkalos and Chiefs, The Various Umbrella bodies in the Gambia and Democratic support organzations such as National Democratic Institute, West Africa Network for Peace building, Community and Religious Leaders and members that provided the platforms and spiritual blessings that usher in a new dispensation. To Allah SWT be all Glory. 

As Gambians and Political Leaders, We are obliged to demonstrate gratitude and thank everyone that has supported this Country to make this successful elections including our development Partners and Foreign Counterparts and the Gambia government under HE President Adama Barrow.

Leader of National Unity Party Abdoulie Jammeh has issued a statement congratulating President Adama Barrow’ for winning the 2021 presidential election.

Jammeh’s statement reads: “On December 4th, 2021, we headed to the polls to elect a President who will lead the affairs of our dear nation for the next five years. We voted as a nation and collectively we have chosen our President for the coming five years. In this regard, on behalf of the National Chairman, the National Executive Committee, the General Membership of the National Unity Party (NUP), and indeed on my own humble behalf, I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate His Excellency President Adama Barrow on his re-election to the Office of the President of the Republic of The Gambia. We wish him the very best of luck in steering the affairs of our dear nation on the right path.

“To my other fellow contestants, we congratulate you for your efforts in trying to offer an alternative to the Gambian people, albeit our efforts falling short. At NUP, we believe that there is no indignity in running for election and losing and therefore I wish to commiserate with you all for not being successful this time around. It has been very clear from the onset that there was going to be only one winner in this elections and that is THE GAMBIA. Thus, The Gambia has voted; The Gambia has decided; and The Gambia has won. The fact that we have achieved all of these in a peaceful and orderly manner with mutual respect and great sense of humor showed the level of maturity of our fledging democracy.

“We, therefore, call on each and every citizen to continue to nurture the growth of that democracy in a tolerant, respectful and an all-inclusive environment.

“On a concluding note, I wish to take this opportunity to thank each and every voter who took time to vote in this elections; regardless of candidate of choice. The 2021 Presidential election cycle is now over, let’s get all hands on deck to work towards the development of our beloved country without regards to tribal, religious or political affiliation.

“As a responsible party in opposition, we will continue to engage the nation and contribute our quota towards national development whilst extending a lending hand to the government in seeing to it that we achieve our aspirations as a nation. We will lead the path of unity towards our common good.”

Independent Essa Faal has told his supporters to accept the will of God following his abysmal performance in Saturday’s election.

The Turnaround leader managed to secure a sorry 17,000 votes to President Adama Barrow’s over 450,000 votes.

Mr Faal however joined other stunned leaders, UDP leader Ousainou Darboe and GDC Mamma Kandeh to reject the result.

But Mr Faal told his supporters in an audio message: “We have not won and that is God’s will, that’s what God wants. So we have to accept and not disagree with what God has done. That is why I always tell you all of us have to be ready to accept what God would do.

“We had confidence we would win but God has his ways. It’s people who vote but it’s God who gives one the presidency and he gives it to whomsoever he wants.

“I want all to be calm and respect the law and not do anything that would break the law or cause violence. “

By Amara Thoronka

Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) yesterday announced incumbent President Adama Barrow winner of Saturday’s presidential polls in The Gambia, making him duly re-elected President of the Republic of The Gambia.

Recently, the Center for Policy, Research and Strategic Studies (CepRass) conducted an opinion poll survey on the voting intentions of Gambians. The survey, “The Gambia Pre-election Opinion Poll Survey 2021,” indicated that President Barrow was going to win in all the seven regions in the country.

The Opinion Poll inferred that President Adama Barrow of National Peoples Party (NPP) will win the presidential election, while Ousainou Darboe of United Democratic Party (UDP) will secure second position. Mama Kandeh of Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) was positioned third while Halifa Sallah of Peoples Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) took fourth. Abdoulei Jammeh of National Unity Party (NUP) and independent candidate Essa Mbye Faal were said to take fifth and sixth positions respectively.

Interestingly, the result announced by the IEC seems to be a reflection of CepRass’ election opinion poll. In the just declared result, President Barrow came first with 457,519 votes, followed by Ousainou Darboe who got 238,253 votes; Mama Kandeh with 105,902 votes; Halifa Sallah with 32,435 votes; Essa Mbye Faal with 17,206 votes and Abdoulei Jammeh with 8,252 votes.

Election Opinion Polls are conducted to know the voting intentions of voters before polling day. They show the popularity of election aspirants and how voters perceive them.

Thousands of citizens have poured into the streets to begin celebrating President Adama Barrow’s unprecedented electoral victory on Sunday.

The Independent Electoral Commission declared President Barrow winner of Saturday’s poll late on Sunday. It came at 9:16pm.

At Westfield, citizens in record numbers shouted ‘beh suba’ while scores are seen walking towards Banjul. A big musical jamboree is taking place in Banjul.

President Barrow secured a record 457,519 votes in Saturday’s poll. His father UDP leader struggled at 238,253 votes.

Incumbent President  Adama Barrow has convincingly won the 2021 race to State House. The results were announced by Alieu Momar Njai, Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), at Election House.

Barrow pulled 457,519 of the valid votes cast, whilst his close contender opposition strongman Ousainou Darboe pulled  238, 253. Mama Kandeh of the GDC recorded 105,902 followed by veteran politician Halifa Sallah of PDOIS who got 32, 425 of the valid votes cast. Independent Candidate Essa Faal had 17, 206 and NUP Leader Abdoulie Jammeh recorded 8,252.

This is Gambia’s first presidential election since the end of the 22-year Jammeh led dictatorship.

Meanwhile, presidential contenders and opposition figures including Ousainou Darboe, Essa Faal and Mama Kandeh have rejected the results, saying there were delays with the announcements and problems at polling stations.

United Democratic Party leader Ousainou Darboe, Gambia Democratic Congress leader Mamma Kandeh and the independent Essa Faal have vowed to leave all options on the table as they rejected the election result on Sunday evening.

Darboe, Kandeh and Faal have been handed the shock of their lives after President Adama Barrow swat them aside in ruthless fashion in almost all of the country’s 53 constituencies.

And Darboe reading a statement on behalf of the stunned leaders, said: “The United Democratic Party and its partners, GFA and Honourable Marie Sock, the Gambia Democratic Party and parties that endorsed his candidature, Honourable Essa Faal have the following preliminary observations on the just concluded electoral process; one, considering that the Gambia has an electorate of approximately 900,000 with on-the-spot counting, we are concerned that there has been an inordinate delay in the announcement of results; two, a number of issues have been raised by our agents and representatives in polling stations, centres and at the IEC headquarters.

“As a result, the representatives of the aforementioned candidates at the IEC headquarters refused to to endorse some of the results that were announced through the public media. We are investigating this matter and our partners, to determine our future course of action. At this point in time, we reject the results announced thus far by the IEC.

“We reserve the right to embark on any action the situation requires. To this end, all options are on the table. In the meantime, we urge all Gambians to remain calm and peaceful while we continue our investigations of these concerns.”

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe has read a statement on behalf of three candidates rejecting the election result.

Darboe, Mamma Kandeh and Essa Faal held a press conference at the UDP leader’s house Sunday evening to reject the result which has seen President Adama Barrow hammered them mercilessly in a landslide victory.

A statement read by Darboe said: “On December 4 2021, Gambians came out in large numbers to vote in the presidential elections. Twenty-four hours later, no clear winner has been declared by the Independent Electoral Commission.

“The United Democratic Party and its partners, GFA and Honourable Marie Sock, the Gambia Democratic Party and parties that endorsed his candidature, Honourable Essa Faal have the following preliminary observations on the just concluded electoral process; one, considering that the Gambia has an electorate of approximately 900,000 with on-the-spot counting, we are concerned that there has been an inordinate delay in the announcement of results; two, a number of issues have been raised by our agents and representatives in polling stations, centres and at the IEC headquarters.

“As a result, the representatives of the aforementioned candidates at the IEC headquarters refused to to endorse some of the results that were announced through the public media. We are investigating this matter and our partners, to determine our future course of action. At this point in time, we reject the results announced thus far by the IEC.

“We reserve the right to embark on any action the situation requires. To this end, all options are on the table. In the meantime, we urge all Gambians to remain calm and peaceful while we continue our investigations of these concerns.”

President Adama Barrow has won in Foni Jarrol, Foni Berefet and Foni Bondali constituencies in Saturday’s presidential election.

In Foni Jarrol, President Barrow polled 2,379 votes with Mamma Kandeh coming in second with 1,172 votes.

In Foni Berefet, the president secured 3,352 votes while Mamma Kandeh got 3,274 votes. Darboe got 1,301 votes in the constituency.

In Foni Bondali, President Barrow got 2,095 votes while Mamma Kandeh polled 1,785 votes.

President Adama Barrow has now switched his ruthlessness to West Coast Region by clinching the important constituencies of Busumbala and Old Yundum.

In Busumbala, President Barrow polled 20,272 votes while UDP leader Ousainou Darboe got 19,177 votes.

In Old Yundum, President Barrow secured 25,635 votes while Darboe got 8,880.

In Kombo South, the president scored a massive 25,075 votes while 20,669 votes went to Darboe.

All UDP strongholds in the Kanifing Municipality have all fallen extraordinarily to President Adama Barrow with the Gambian leader ruthlessly hammering the party in some of the constituencies in KM.

President Barrow took a staggering 22 out of 24 latest constituencies announced by the Independent Electoral Commission.

In Serrekunda West, President Barrow polled 20,768 votes while Darboe polled 9,596 votes.

In Lower Fulladu West, President Barrow scored 11,655 votes while Darbow got 3,637 votes.

In Lower Saloum, the president got 6,281 votes to Darboe’s 710.

In Jeshwang, President Barrow scored 12,854 while Darboe scored 6,791.

In Latrikunda Sabiji, President Barrow polled 15,304 votes to Darboe’s 10,839 votes.

In Basse, President Barrow scored 15,904 while Darboe got 1,777 votes.

In Tallinding, President Adama Barrow polled 8,624 votes while Darboe got 6,242 votes.

In Bakau, UDP beat President Barrow there but the margin is slim with Darboe’s 5,706 votes to President Barrow’s 5,060 votes.

Kiang East and Kiang West have gone to United Democratic Party becoming the first constituencies to go to the party according to IEC’s announcement.

In Kiang East, President Adama Barrow polled 2,073 votes while UDP leader Darboe polled 2,485 votes.

The rest of the candidates struggled between 61 and 24 votes.

In Kiang West, President Adama Barrow polled 2,602 votes while UDP leader Darboe polled a massive 6,619 votes.

President Adama Barrow has won all three Niamina constituencies, Niamina Dankunku, Niamina East and Niamina West.

In Niamina Dankunku, President Barrow polled 2,410 votes to UDP’s 543. Mamma Kandeh came third struggling at 296 votes.

President Adama Barrow has taken Bundung constituency too after polling over 10,000 votes to UDP’s 7,000.

President Barrow polled 10,542 to Darboe’s 7,132 votes.

President Adama Barrow has won in all three constituencies in Banjul, swatting aside his opponents in style.

In Banjul South, President Barrow scored 3,641 votes while Darboe scored 857 votes. Halifa Sallah came third with 565 votes.

Essa Faal scored a sorry187 votes while Mamma Kandeh got 183 votes. Abdoulie Jammeh got 19.

In Banjul North, President Barrow polled 3,430 votes while Darboe polled 1,778 votes. Halifa Sallah got 447 votes.

Essa Faal, Mamma Kandeh and Abdoulie Jammeh got 165,186 and 19 votes respectively.

In Banjul Central, President Barrow got 4,749 votes while Darboe got 1,453 votes. Halifa Sallah polled 719 votes while Mamma Kandeh got 306 votes.

Essa Faal got 260 votes while Abdoulie Jammeh got 14.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has continued its announcement of official results of the December 4^th Presidential Election. The first set from Janjanbureh, the second from Serekunda, Kiang Central and Jara Central bringing the total number of constituencies announced to four of the 53. The results were read by Alieu Momarr Njie Chairman of IEC.

Janjanbureh Constituency

Adama Barrow (NPP) – 657

Ousainou Darboe (UDP) – 454

Essa Faal (Independent) – 31

Abdoulie Jammeh (NUP) – 12

Mama Kandeh (GDC) – 97

Halifa Sallah (PDOIS) – 21

Serekunda Constituency

Adama Barrow (NPP) – 7143

Ousainou Darboe (UDP) – 1952

Essa Faal (Independent) – 272

Abdoulie Jammeh (NUP) – 56

Mama Kandeh (GDC) – 727

Halifa Sallah (PDOIS) – 1927

Kiang Central Constituency

Adama Barrow (NPP) – 3496

Ousainou Darboe (UDP) – 2469

Essa Faal (Independent) – 72

Abdoulie Jammeh (NUP) – 52

Mama Kandeh (GDC) – 270

Halifa Sallah (PDOIS) – 42

Jara Central Constituency

Adama Barrow (NPP) – 3303

Ousainou Darboe (UDP) – 1313

Essa Faal (Independent) – 71

Abdoulie Jammeh (NUP) – 60

Mama Kandeh (GDC) – 494

Halifa Sallah (PDOIS) – 50

 With four constituencies announced, President Barrow is ahead of the polls with Ousainou Darboe following closely behind. Although the results so far show Barrow leading it is still too early to determine an ultimate winner.