The Gambia’s Presidential Election slated for 4th December 2021 will go on as scheduled, the country’s electoral body has assured Election Observer Groups.
Speaking at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre at Bijilo, IEC Chairman, Alieu Momar Njie said that the polls are expected to be very organised, assuring the election observers, the media and the Gambian people that it will be free, fair, credible and transparent.
Njie further noted that of the 26 candidates who submitted nomination papers, 5 withdrew from the race, 15 were rejected and 6 were accepted. The six who were successful will contest the December election.
Some rejected candidates including Citizens’ Alliance (CA) Dr Ismaila Ceesay and Gambia Moral Congress (GMC) Mai Ahmed Fatty took to the courts and had judgements in their favour, judgements the IEC has appealed.
“Every aspect of the electoral process is observed by political party agents, starting from the registration of voters where all candidates and parties are asked to send agents to observe everything,” Alieu Momar Njie said.
He further noted that this year saw a 100% approval of the voters register.
“Fortunately, this year out of the 962,157 voters registered not one single objection was raised, so the voters list is 100% approved”
He noted that as usual the votes will be counted on the spot and party agents will be given the results in each polling station. He however maintained that only the Chairman of the IEC has the authority to announce final elections.
“I would like to assure the electorate, political parties and candidates that the IEC will conduct free, fair and credible election come December and beyond,” Alieu Momar Njie said.
Momodou Sowen is the Deputy Inspector General of The Gambia Police Force, he informed observers that the country’s security situation remains relatively calm, peaceful and stable. Emphasising that no major disturbances have been recorded so far.
“Since the start of the process, we have not recorded any major incident so far and we are not anticipating any problem. We have deployed our men in every polling station across the country, so we anticipate a smooth process,” DIG Sowen said.
