The Gambia's electoral commission has announced five official candidates for the December presidential election, including incumbent Adama Barrow who is running for a third term. Despite initial promises not to do so, Barrow, who heads the National People's Party (NPP), will face competition from the country's main opposition leader Ousainou Darboe and the popular youth candidate Talib Ahmed Bensouda. The election is set to take place on December 5, with two weeks of campaigning starting next Monday.
The list of candidates was formalized after the Independent Electoral Commission received 18 presidential nomination requests and met with each candidate to receive their paperwork. Besides Barrow, Darboe, and Bensouda, the other candidates include Isatou Touray, a physician and the country's first-ever woman presidential nominee, and Modou Lamin Sima, who represents the Alliance of Progressive Citizens (APC). Bensouda, who was mayor of a major Banjul suburb until last week, has gained a large following among The Gambia's youth and his rallies have drawn large crowds.
President Barrow rose to power in 2016, beating longtime Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh in a surprise upset. His election ended 22 years of rule by a regime accused of carrying out torture, using death squads, and many other abuses. Jammeh has been in exile in Equatorial Guinea since 2017 but still has many supporters in his home country and often weighs in on its politics. Barrow's decision to run for a third term has been met with some opposition, despite the 1997 constitution allowing for more than two terms.
The opposition leader, Ousainou Darboe, leads the United Democratic Party and is a former vice president. He is running for president for a fifth time, having finished each prior race as runner-up. Darboe's party has been a major opposition force in the country, and his candidacy is seen as a significant challenge to Barrow's re-election bid. The election campaign is expected to be intense, with Bensouda's popularity among the youth posing a threat to the established parties.
Bensouda's candidacy has gained significant traction, particularly among The Gambia's youth. He gained popularity during prolonged blackouts starting in June, which led to several nights of chaotic, spontaneous protests in which demonstrators blocked roads and called for Barrow to step down. Bensouda quit his post as mayor last Friday in order to better pursue his presidential bid, after a government report filed in late October recommended his removal from office and accused him of financial impropriety.
The government report accused Bensouda of financial impropriety, creating speculation he would be disqualified and mass protests would ensue. However, his party called the report a "political manoeuvre". Despite the allegations, Bensouda was confirmed as a candidate by the electoral commission. The commission's decision has been seen as a significant development in the country's preparations for the election.
The election is set to take place on December 5, and the outcome is uncertain. With five candidates in the running, the competition is expected to be fierce. The election will be a test of the country's democratic institutions and its ability to hold a free and fair election.
Key points
- The Gambia's electoral commission has confirmed five official candidates for the December presidential election.
- Incumbent Adama Barrow is running for a third term despite initial promises not to do so.
- The election is set to take place on December 5, with two weeks of campaigning starting next Monday.
