Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Prince Ebrahim Sanyang has withdrawn from the presidential nomination process for the December 5, 2026 election after the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) reportedly failed to locate his voter registration record.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday at the Kairaba Beach Hotel, Sanyang said he would not submit his nomination papers at his scheduled IEC appointment on Wednesday, November 11, citing unresolved concerns over his voter registration status.
According to Sanyang, he registered during the 2016 voter registration exercise and again in 2021, when he was issued a voter’s card at the Brufut Primary School registration centre. He maintained that witnesses who accompanied him during both registration exercises are prepared to testify that he was duly registered.
Sanyang revealed that he visited the IEC Regional Office in Brikama on November 7 to apply for a replacement voter’s card. However, officials were unable to locate his details in the voter registration database. He was later referred to the IEC headquarters in Kanifing, where a further search allegedly produced the same outcome.
On November 10, his legal team formally wrote to the IEC Chairman requesting an urgent investigation into the matter, verification of his registration status, and restoration of his record if evidence confirms that he was properly registered.
The EFF leader said the inability to trace the registration record of a citizen who had participated in successive voter registration exercises raises serious concerns about the management and integrity of the voter register.
He questioned how the records of a voter who had allegedly registered in both 2016 and 2021 could disappear from the Commission’s database and whether other registered voters might be affected by similar issues without their knowledge.
Sanyang also called for clarification on who has the authority to alter, amend, or remove entries from the voter register and what safeguards are in place to prevent unauthorized changes. He further urged the IEC to conduct an independent and comprehensive audit of the voter register ahead of the presidential election.
“These are legitimate questions in a constitutional democracy and deserve clear, factual and transparent answers from the Commission,” he said.
Sanyang stressed that the issue extends beyond his personal circumstances and touches on public confidence in the electoral process.
“The issue is therefore bigger than my personal circumstances. It concerns the confidence of every Gambian in the fairness, transparency and credibility of the electoral process,” he stated.
Explaining his decision to withdraw from the nomination process, Sanyang said proceeding with his nomination while questions remained over his voter registration status could expose his candidacy to legal challenges and create uncertainty regarding his eligibility.
“I cannot, in good conscience, proceed as though this matter does not exist. My decision is therefore a principled one, taken in the interest of legal certainty, electoral integrity and public confidence in our democratic institutions,” he said.
Despite stepping aside from the race, Sanyang emphasized that he remains committed to public service and reserved the right to pursue legal remedies to address the matter.
He called on the IEC to explain why his voter registration record could not be found, investigate the circumstances surrounding the missing record, restore it if evidence confirms he was duly registered, and undertake an independent audit of the voter register.
The opposition politician also urged Gambians to verify their voter registration status and resolve any discrepancies before election day.
Addressing his supporters, Sanyang thanked them for their continued support and appealed for calm, urging them to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
He further disclosed that the EFF is engaged in advanced discussions with other opposition parties aimed at forming a broad-based National Unity Coalition. According to him, the coalition seeks to present a united democratic alternative and pursue political change through the ballot box.
“Our commitment has never been merely about occupying public office. It is about building a Gambia in which every citizen’s rights are respected, public institutions are accountable and elections reflect the genuine will of the people,” he said.
Sanyang concluded by reaffirming his commitment to credible elections, constitutionalism, accountability, and the protection of the rights and dignity of Gambian voters.
