Presidential election in The Gambia: a test election under the watchful eyes of observers

In The Gambia, the civil society coalition, with Wanep, is deploying 150 observers on the ground for the presidential election of December 4, 2021. © RFI / Paulina Zidi

Text by: Charlotte Idrac Follow |

Paulina Zidi Follow

4 min

More than 960,000 Gambians are called on this Saturday, December 4 to elect their next head of state.

First presidential election since Yahya Jammeh's defeat in 2016, after two decades of authoritarian rule.

Six candidates are in the running, including outgoing president Adama Barrow and his former vice-president Ousainou Darboe, historical opponent.

A vote considered as a "test" for this young democracy which takes place under the surveillance of national and international observers.

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From our special envoys to Banjul,

Last hours before the start of polling in Gambia.

The campaign ended on Thursday at midnight and since then it has been the traditional "electoral silence".

No more campaign caravans, no more candidates' meetings, no more media programs to evoke this presidential election.

However, the activity did not stop for everyone.

In the conference room of a large hotel in the capital, around fifteen young people are playing on their computers.

We are in the “ 

situation room 

”, the headquarters of the civil society coalition.

A project implemented with Wanep, the West African network for the consolidation of peace, which deploys 150 observers in the field.

► To read also: Presidential in The Gambia: "This is the most important election in our history"

While freedom of expression has become a reality in the country, Emmanuel Joof, president of the national human rights commission, calls on users of social networks: “ 

They must be careful.

For example, it is the Independent Electoral Commission that announces the final results.

Misinformation can cause a lot of problems, so my message is not to resonate with violent speech.

We must be measured because they have a heavy responsibility vis-à-vis the whole nation

.

"

Moreover, the mission has set up a service dedicated to social networks.

Their mission is to locate information, verify it and communicate it.

Objective: to limit the dissemination of false news as much as possible.

A rather peaceful campaign

On the ground, ahead of the election, this civil society coalition has also deployed 25 people for several weeks to closely follow the campaign.

And the first assessment drawn by Emmanuel Joof is rather satisfactory: “

 There is never a 100% perfect campaign, but it was generally quite correct

.

"

A point of view shared by ECOWAS.

The sub-regional body has a mission of 62 observers headed by Ernest Bai Koroma, the former president of Sierra Leone: “ 

The campaign went well overall, there were no major problems.

Some hate speech was reported during this campaign, but it did not affect the process.

The main stakeholders we met are optimistic

.

"

If all observers are confident for this election, they do not forget that it remains very special.

The first free election in more than 25 years, it is presented as a test for democracy.

Emmanuel Joof hopes that the spirits will remain calm all the same: " 

We say to the people:" Go vote, go home and wait for the results. "

There may be discontent, but all this must remain within a legal framework.

If there are disputes, we must go to court and appeal

.

"

Observers from the African Union, the European Union and the Commonwealth are also mobilized to walk through the 1,400 polling stations throughout the country which are due to open at eight am Banjul time and universal time.

► To read also: Presidential in Gambia: when the ballot is replaced by a crystal ball

• Six candidates for a chair

A horse, on a gray background: it is the logo of the NPP, the National People's Party of the outgoing president.

Adama Barrow came to power to everyone's surprise five years ago, with the support of a broad coalition.

The 56-year-old former real estate agent has since reneged on his promise to only stay in office for three years.

This close friend of Senegalese President Macky Sall promises " 

peace and development

 ". 

In front of him in particular, Ousainou Darboe, 73, leader of the UDP party and historical figure of the opposition.

In prison in 2016, he was unable to participate in the presidential election.

First vice-president of Adama Barrow, he accuses him today of clinging to power, and of having betrayed the hopes of a "New Gambia".

Its slogan: " 

Change is coming

 ". 

It will also be necessary to reckon with Mammah Kandeh, who came third in the last presidential election.

The leader of the Democratic Congress of The Gambia has received the support of former President Yayha Jammeh since his exile from Equatorial Guinea. 

Also in the running are Halifa Sallah, from the People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), Abdoulie Ebrima Jammeh from the National Unity Party and Essa Mbaye Fall, former head of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission , who presents himself as an independent.

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  • Gambia

  • Yahya jammeh

  • Adama barrow