The chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission has said Gambians living abroad cannot vote unless a new law is created to pave the way for their voting.
“You have 53 constituencies and these are limited to Gambians here in The Gambia. For them to be able to vote as diasporans, there has to be a change in the constitution. Because they’re planning to have five constituencies abroad and unless this law is changed, it remains they cannot really vote,” Alieu Momar Njai told reporters on Friday.
The IEC today began registering Gambians ahead of the December presidential election, the first presidential since Jammeh was removed from power.
Gambians in the diaspora have been pushing for the creation of new constituencies that will enable them to vote in the elections.
It’s unlikely new constituencies will be created and the IEC chairman’s comments means any Gambian who lives abroad and wants to vote will have to physically travel to The Gambia.
