Gambia: IEC Says 18 Presidential Aspirants Submit Papers, Nine Withdraw

What the report says

The Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission said 18 of the 27 people who collected nomination forms for the December 5 presidential election had filed their papers by the end of the ninth day of nominations. Nine others withdrew before submitting documents, according to the Commission’s update carried by Foroyaa via AllAfrica. The nomination window opened on November 3 and is scheduled to close on November 14.

The IEC said some submissions were still incomplete or awaiting review. It reported that six filings had not yet been processed because the required D1 million deposit had not been paid, and one of those parties, the Democratic Party, later withdrew. The Commission also said it was checking supporting documents for several aspirants, including citizenship and education certificates in some cases.

Among the aspirants mentioned, the IEC said UDP leader Ousainu Darboe and National People’s Party leader Adama Barrow had already cleared the process, with no further documents or signatures needed. Other candidates still had signature shortfalls to meet the threshold for registration, including several independents and party nominees. The Commission said it would keep updating the public as it reviews the remaining files.

The update matters because it shows how the field for the presidential contest is taking shape ahead of the close of nominations, with some candidates qualifying quickly while others still face administrative hurdles.