Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The United Democratic Party (UDP) has taken a decisive step in its candidate selection process following the adoption of the vetting panel’s report at a Central Committee meeting held on Sunday.
According to Alhagie S. Darboe, the party’s Administrative Secretary, the meeting focused on reviewing and validating the work of the vetting panel, which was tasked with screening applications, conducting interviews, verifying grassroots consultations, and preparing detailed assessment reports of aspirants.
The panel assessed applicants on five key criteria: leadership and governance experience, commitment to unity, public appeal and electability, and integrity and moral standing. A total of eleven aspirants were evaluated through both interviews and nationwide consultations with 683 UDP officials across all regions.
Results of the Vetting Process
During the interview stage, Ousainou Darboe emerged as the clear frontrunner, scoring 246 out of 250 points (98.4%). He was followed by Borry Touray with 221 points (88.4%) and Amadou Sanneh with 220 points (88%). Other candidates, including Suleyman Saho, Lamin J. Darboe, and Dr. Mohamed Danjo, scored below the 80% mark.
In the grassroots verification exercise—which involved UDP officials across Banjul, Kanifing, West Coast, North Bank, Lower River, Central River, and Upper River Regions—Ousainou Darboe again dominated, securing 16,808 points out of a possible 17,075 (98.4%). No other aspirant reached the 60% threshold required for consideration.
When the interview and verification results were combined, only Ousainou Darboe surpassed the 70% overall threshold set by party rules.
Committee’s Dilemma and Resolution Before Consensus or Election
The outcome posed a procedural challenge for the UDP since the rules require that a minimum of three candidates be shortlisted for the next stage, even if not all meet the threshold.
To resolve this, the Central Committee agreed to shortlist the three top performers across the different stages: Ousainou Darboe, Borry Touray, and Amadou Sanneh.
Alagie S. Darboe explained that the shortlisted candidates are now being engaged by the party’s Council of Elders in a consensus-building process. If consensus is achieved, a single candidate will be presented to the Selection Committee for endorsement. If not, an internal election will be held among the three shortlisted contenders.
The UDP’s selection process is being closely watched, as it is seen as a critical test of the party’s commitment to transparency, internal democracy, and grassroots participation ahead of upcoming national elections.
