Amadou Manjang
In a joint Statement, the Gambia Participates and Elections Watch Committee (EWC) has recommended that the IEC consider developing regulations on hidden campaigns by political parties and/or candidates on election day.
The statement was released on Tuesday following the CSO observation of the Masembeh Ward by-election on 22 February 2025.
The aforesaid CSOs observed that there was frequent transportation of voters to and from the polling stations by both the UDP and NPP representatives during the election.
According to the CSOs, there was a high possibility of voter inducement while transporting voters.’
The CSOs further recommended the IEC ensure polling locations are accessible to all voters, particularly the elderly and persons with disabilities. In addition, it urges the election body to take additional measures to make the process more accessible such as written material for the hearing impaired and listing the candidates’ names in braille on the ballot drums as well as making voting instructions at polling units visible and readable
It is of paramount urgency that the IEC regulates campaign financing in accordance with the laws of The Gambia. Publication of results on the IEC website is still pending. The IEC should immediately publish results on their website as soon as the official results are announced.’
For political parties and candidates, the CSOs recommended that they should utilize the prescribed legal process to pursue any complaints or grievances arising from the elections. And they should abstain from vote buying and voter inducement or making hate speech during and after the electoral cycle.
The CSOs further recommended that the National Assembly must prioritize legislative and constitutional reform as the 2026-2028 electoral cycle approaches.
‘The Elections Bill, 2020 should be prioritized without further delay,’ they added. ‘Through consultation, Parliament should develop a Campaign Financing law that will explicitly regulate campaign financing to ensure credibility and accountability of the electoral process.’
The CSOs further explained that the law should consider giving the Anti-Corruption Commission the jurisdiction to regulate, and ensure compliance and accountability in Campaign Financing.
They also recommended the expansion of the scope of vote buying and community developments that are election-centric (close to election day) and the auditing and publication of party/candidate campaign financial statements, should be included in the Campaign Financing law.’
The CSOs urged the media to continue to demonstrate professionalism in its reportage and ensure citizens continue to receive accurate information about the election process.
‘Journalists and media organizations should be politically neutral and adhere to the GPU Cherno Jallow Code of Ethics,’ they added while urging security Forces to be alerted to minimize the occurrence of electoral violence.
