Presidential election in Gambia: strong enthusiasm for a calm vote
Beginning of the counting in a polling station in Banjul, for the presidential election in The Gambia, December 4, 2021. © RFI / Paulina Zidi
Text by: Paulina Zidi Follow
3 min
Gambians were called to the polls to elect their president in a one-round election.
Six candidates are in the running to succeed Adama Barrow, whose surprise victory in 2016 put more than two decades of dictatorial rule under Yahya Jammeh.
And voters seem to have responded with long queues in Banjul electoral centers in particular.
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From our special correspondent in Banjul
,
The count started several minutes late due to the crowds in office number three of the central mosque, Ker-Sereign district, Banjul.
The law provides for all those waiting in line to vote after the official time, even if, at 5 p.m., the security forces closed the doors of the courtyard transformed into an electoral center.
Many people came and this delighted the president of the office: “
We are very happy, we had a lot of voters.
Now we are going to count the votes
.
At his side, the representatives of the candidates present also expressed their satisfaction after a day without incident.
They show the almost full attendance sheets before blocking the entry of the ballot boxes to begin the count.
A small committee count
In The Gambia, because of the ballot system, it is more called counting and the operation is rather quick and efficient.
Each urn is unsealed, emptied onto a perforated board with a capacity of 200 balls.
As soon as all officials and representatives have agreed on the number, the balls return to the ballot box, are re-sealed and kept in case of dispute.
A count that is done in small groups.
According to Gambian electoral law, only accredited persons can attend, a legacy of the Yahya Jammeh years.
And a rule that the chairman of this Ker-Sereign office applies to the letter, not hesitating to ask those who do not have permission to leave the premises.
A busy day
In this polling station number three, the crowd was well reflected in the ballot boxes.
Out of the 697 voters registered on the electoral lists, they are 615 to have come.
And indeed, throughout the day, it took patience to vote in Banjul.
This did not bother Fatou, long orange dress, she says she waited a long time: “
It is not the first time that I vote, but today, it is very different.
There are a lot of people, but I'm glad I voted
.
"
An influx that many observers qualify as exceptional.
This Gambian journalist tells us that he has never experienced this on this scale and he expects a high participation rate.
In the queues, many young people and women like Saly: “
I too have waited a long time.
There are a lot of women who are there to vote.
It makes me happy because I think the change is happening.
The Gambia needs to move forward, the prices are too high, things need to change.
Since there were more applicants than usual, that motivated people to come
.
"
Waiting for results
Mariama was among the last to vote this Saturday.
No way for her to miss this moment: "
It's so important, it will carry my voice.
I am confident for the future.
We are going to have a very peaceful process.
Look at the atmosphere, it's so cool, we talk to each other, we chat.
There is no tension
.
"
In Banjul, the atmosphere was indeed calm and joyful in the centers.
Even the presence of the security forces has been discreet.
They were there in uniform.
To secure the 1,400 polling stations, all the bodies had to be mobilized.
Most of the officers in the field were unarmed.
The count finished, eyes are now on the Electoral Commission.
In The Gambia, compilation is known to go fast.
In 2016, Adama Barrow's victory was announced the day after the vote.
The Gambians therefore hope to be fixed on the name of their future president this Sunday.
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Gambia
Adama barrow
Yahya jammeh