Eighteen of the 27 presidential hopefuls who collected nomination papers have submitted their documentation to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) as the December 5 election process nears its conclusion.
The nomination period, which opened on November 3, was due to close on November 14.
By the end of the ninth day of the exercise, the IEC confirmed that nine individuals had withdrawn from the race. The list of those who opted out includes independent aspirants Musa Jallow, Ismaila Jobe, Alkali Cham, Sheikh Matarr Nyang, Omar Mbye, and Fabakary Jammeh. Three political organizations—the All Inclusive Party, the Gambia Action Party, and the National Unity Party—also formally withdrew their participation.
Administrative hurdles have slowed the processing of several other submissions. The Commission reported that six filings, including those from the Democratic Party and independent candidates Salieu Jallow, Alieu Sowe, Joseph Henry Joof, Abdou Dampha, and Papa Secka, remain unprocessed due to the non-payment of the required D1 million deposit. The Democratic Party has since confirmed its official withdrawal from the nomination process.
The Gambia Labour Party’s submission for aspirant Bakusa Dukureh faces further delays. According to the IEC, Dukureh has acknowledged holding dual citizenship, and his senior secondary school certificate is currently undergoing verification by the relevant authorities.
Other candidates are currently working to meet specific signature requirements to qualify for the ballot.
Modou Lamin Sima of the Alliance of Progressive Citizens must secure an additional 1,040 registered-voter signatures to reach the national threshold of 5,000. Similarly, Ansu Sanneh of the National Builders Party requires 379 more signatures nationally, with specific shortfalls in Banjul and Basse, while his citizenship status remains under review. Kebba Bojang of the National Democratic Party is also working to collect 1,914 additional signatures nationally, alongside the ongoing verification of his academic credentials.
Independent aspirant Bakary K. Badjie needs 2,310 more signatures nationwide, including specific counts across Banjul, Kanifing, Kerewan, Mansakonko, Janjanbureh, and Basse. Meanwhile, Ebrima Tabora Manneh of the People’s Alliance Party needs to gather 1,507 signatures nationally, with smaller outstanding amounts in Kanifing, Mansakonko, and Janjanbureh.
Conversely, several aspirants have already moved past the documentation stage. The IEC confirmed that papers submitted by UDP leader Ousainu Darboe and National People’s Party leader Adama Barrow have been processed with no further requirements.
Independent candidate Isatou Touray and United Party aspirant Talib Ahmed Bensouda have also satisfied the Commission’s requirements, with no further documents or signatures requested of them.
Submissions from independent aspirants Lamin J. Darbo and Almameh Gibba are currently undergoing final review. The Commission is scheduled to issue formal acceptances of nomination to all qualified candidates on Thursday, November 12, at 3 p.m.
