The Independent Electoral Commission of Gambia has announced that it will issue formal acceptance of nomination to qualified presidential candidates on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 3pm. This follows the ongoing review and verification of nomination papers submitted by aspiring candidates. The Commission has been processing nominations, verifying documents, and checking for outstanding requirements.
According to the IEC, several aspiring candidates have successfully completed their nomination requirements and do not need to provide additional documentation or signatures. These include Talib Ahmed Bensouda of Unite, United Democratic Party leader ANM Ousainu Darboe, and National People’s Party candidate Adama Barrow. Their nominations have been processed and they are cleared to move forward in the electoral process.
However, some candidates still have outstanding requirements to meet before their nominations can be accepted. Kebba Bojang of the National Democratic Party, for instance, is undergoing further verification of his senior secondary school certificate. He must also submit an additional 1,914 registered voters’ signatures to meet the national threshold. Similarly, Bakary K Badjie, an independent aspirant, needs to provide 2,310 additional signatures nationally.
The IEC also reported that Ibrahima Tabora Manneh of the People’s Alliance Party must submit 1,507 additional national signatures, while the Alliance of Progressive Citizens candidate is short of 1,040 signatures. The Commission is continuing to update the public on the status of nominations processed and outstanding requirements for all aspiring candidates.
In related news, the Gambia Labour Party’s submission has not been processed due to its aspiring candidate publicly acknowledging dual nationality. His senior secondary school certificate has been forwarded to the relevant authorities for verification. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party has formally withdrawn from the presidential race, and several independent aspirants have also withdrawn.
The announcement of formal acceptance on Thursday is expected to provide further clarity on the candidates who have successfully met the legal requirements to contest the December 5 presidential election. The IEC has assured the public that it will continue to update them on the nominations process. This will help to ensure transparency and fairness in the electoral process.
The IEC's update on nominations is crucial in ensuring that only eligible candidates participate in the presidential election. The Commission's efforts to verify documents and check for outstanding requirements aim to maintain the integrity of the electoral process. Key candidates who have met the requirements so far include Talib Ahmed Bensouda, ANM Ousainu Darboe, and Adama Barrow.
Key points
- The IEC will announce qualified presidential candidates on November 12, 2026.
- Several candidates have successfully completed their nomination requirements.
- Some candidates still have outstanding requirements to meet before their nominations can be accepted.
