Bakary S. Jarjue, candidate of the main opposition United Democratic Party, has been chosen by the electorate of Massembe ward as their councillor.
Joseph Colley, vice chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission, announced the results and gave notice of the total number of votes cast in the by-election on Saturday.
The UDP candidate got 700 votes, while NPP’s Lamin Jarju got 513 votes. One vote was considered invalid by the IEC. With a difference of 187 votes, the UDP candidate was declared winner.
The results were certified by Lamin J. Jadama, IEC’s returning officer for Mansakonko Administrative Area, and signed and endorsed by the two agents of each political camp.
The election followed tense campaign over the past weeks, which led to intense chaos in the political landscape as the ruling party and the main opposition party did everything at their disposal to rally electoral support. The two candidates are cousins.
The race for the Massembeh council seat follows the demise of UDP’s Bakary Korita, who was the councillor, and IEC’s announcement to hold by-election for the vacant seat. Meanwhile, the UDP has reclaimed the seat once more.
