The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of Gambia has announced that 1,146,474 citizens are eligible to cast their votes in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for December 5, 2026. This development comes as the commission continues to prepare for the polls. The IEC has been working to ensure a smooth electoral process.
As part of its preparations, the IEC has expunged 165 names from the 2026 provisional voters' register. This decision was made following the conclusion of Revising Courts proceedings, which examined 1,694 objections raised against the provisional voters' register. The proceedings were conducted across the country's electoral regions between August 24 and October 24, 2026.
The Revising Courts, headed by magistrates appointed by the Chief Justice, were established in all electoral regions except Banjul and Sibanor, where no objections were filed. The IEC has complied with the rulings of the various courts by expunging the 165 names as ordered. This move is aimed at ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the voters' register.
According to IEC Chairman Joseph Colley, a total of 1,694 objections were filed during the period provided for appeals and objections, while no appeals were received. The commission will provide political parties with soft copies of the master register and master supplementary register. Additionally, the IEC will provide data on voters' cards expunged following the Revising Courts' decisions, alongside those deleted from the provisional voters' list.
The IEC is also making progress in other areas of electoral preparations. Twenty-seven aspiring presidential candidates had collected nomination forms as of October 28, with the nomination exercise scheduled to run from November 3 to 14. This development indicates a high level of interest in the presidential election.
In a related development, the IEC has opened a 15-day window, running from November 1 to 15, for the free replacement of lost, damaged or mutilated voters' cards at all 10 IEC offices across the country. The exercise will be conducted daily, including weekends, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., regardless of where the voter initially registered. This move aims to ensure that eligible voters can exercise their right to vote.
The IEC chairman further disclosed that accreditation of local and international election observers and media representatives was ongoing, while recruitment of polling staff had been successfully concluded. These developments demonstrate the commission's commitment to conducting a free and fair presidential election.
Key points
- 1,146,474 Gambians are eligible to vote in the December 5 presidential election.
- The IEC has expunged 165 names from the provisional voters' register following Revising Courts proceedings.
- Twenty-seven aspiring presidential candidates have collected nomination forms as of October 28.
