By Aja Musu Bah-Daffeh
Photo: Gambians voting at Mariama Kunda village. © Momodou Jarju.
It’s the maiden presidential election since the collapse of a 22 years rule of former President Yahya Jammeh, who currently resides in Equatorial Guinea after he was forced to relinquish power following his defeat by current president Adama Barrow.
Arguably one of the most contested presidential elections in the history of the Gambia since independence in 1965, six-men are battling it out for the topmost job in the country.
Scores of Gambians have turned out to vote today, Saturday 4 December, 2021, across the country. Among them include a lot of youths.
At Mariama Kunda village in Kombo North, West Coast Region, hundreds of voters turned out in the early hours of Saturday. Some as early as 5 am queuing for 3 hours before the voting process starts.
The elderly persons, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and sick individuals were given the privilege to vote first.
The same is also true at Mandinaba polling station. Here, men on the queue voluntarily coordinate voters for the process to go smoothly and fast. The security personnel also control the crowd to ensure voters do not defy the election code of ethics.
COVID-19 safety measures are also observed by the presiding officer, polling agents, security officials and some voters.
The polling Center at Mandinaba Bantaba has 3 polling stations.
