The Chairman of the Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Mr. Alieu Momar Njai, has been 
designated “Person of the Year 2016” by the Gambia News and Report Weekly Magazine, for the manner he handled the hotly contested 2016 Presidential Election in which the candidate of the opposition coalition Mr. Adama Barrow was declared winner, by the Commission.
In a letter conveying the news to the electoral body’s boss, who once served as an IEC Commissioner, and also Acting Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), Mr. Swaebou Conateh of the Dippakunda-based Gambia Communication Agency and Baroueli Enterprises, the publishers of “The News and Report” weekly magazine, stated that Chairman Njai’s selection was because of “how you efficiently handled the race to the country’s highest political office, thereby enhancing people’s trust and confidence in the electoral system”.
“The on-the-spot counting of votes at the respective polling stations had enabled the electorate to know the results as per polling station even before they reached you as the Returning Officer and this had earned you commendation from different quarters.”
The management of “The Gambia News and Report Weekly Magazine” is satisfied that you have met the criteria for the award, and in view of the fact that:
1.Your case also illustrates possibilities for individual citizens who care enough about their country’s standing in the democratization process and points to the importance of putting nation before self-through strength of character, sacrifice and courage.
