As The Gambia heads toward its presidential election, the integrity of the voter register has emerged as a constitutional flashpoint. Allegations of fraudulent documentation and weak verification systems are fueling concerns that the foundation of democratic legitimacy may be at risk.
The Chief Electoral Officer of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Sambujang Njie, has disclosed that the Commission received a total of 1,600 objections during the supplementary voter registration exercise.
Mr. Njie made the revelation on Thursday during an IEC stakeholders’ engagement held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, ahead of the forthcoming presidential election.
He explained that the objections were filed by individuals and political actors who challenged certain registrations, citing issues such as eligibility and residency. According to him, the IEC is committed to reviewing all objections in line with the electoral laws to ensure that only qualified voters remain on the register.
The stakeholders’ engagement brought together representatives of political parties, civil society organizations, and other partners to discuss preparations for the election. Mr. Njie emphasized that transparency and credibility remain central to the Commission’s work, noting that the IEC will continue to uphold fairness in the electoral process.
The Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Joseph Colley, has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to conducting free, fair, transparent and inclusive elections, while calling for continued stakeholder engagement to strengthen the country’s democratic process.
He said the Appeals and Objections process following the 2026 Supplementary Voter Registration exercise is ongoing, with Revising Court Magistrates appointed by the Chief Justice set to hear cases before the provisional register is merged with the 2021 Voter Register.
Colley also urged the public to seek information directly from the IEC to counter misinformation, assuring Gambians that the Commission will continue to uphold its constitutional mandate by managing the electoral process in an open, transparent and impartial manner.
The supplementary voter registration exercise is a key step in expanding the voter roll, giving Gambians who missed the initial registration period another opportunity to secure their right to vote.
