Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has initiated a crackdown on non-compliant political parties, warning that those failing to meet the requirements of the Elections Act risk suspension or deregistration as the country prepares for the December elections.
IEC spokesperson Pa Makan Khan told The Standard on Monday that the electoral body will no longer tolerate disregard for electoral laws, amid growing concerns about procedural violations and the existence of so-called “briefcase parties” with little or no functional structure.
According to him, the commission recently dispatched inspection teams across the country to assess the operational status of registered political parties, including the functionality of their bureaus.
“The team is currently preparing a report for potential action,” Khan said, adding, “The IEC is considering this very seriously because we cannot just have briefcase political parties. We have to have functional political parties that are duly registered and representative of Gambians.”
Legal Requirements and Grounds for Deregistration
Under Section 102 of the Elections Act, political parties are required to submit audited financial statements, hold regular national congresses, and comply with internal democracy provisions. Failure to meet these obligations empowers the IEC to take enforcement measures, including suspension or deregistration.
The Elections Act, 2025, further outlines additional grounds for cancellation of a party’s registration.
Under Section 109, the IEC must deregister a political party if its leadership formally notifies the commission of its dissolution through a written resolution signed by a simple majority of its registered officers.
The commission may also cancel a party’s registration if it is satisfied that the party has failed to comply with any legal provisions governing political parties after its registration. Suspension may be imposed as an intermediate step before full deregistration.
Political parties affected by such decisions have the right to challenge the commission’s action in court within 14 days of the decision.
Heightened Scrutiny Ahead of Elections
Sources familiar with the process say at least three political parties are currently facing heightened scrutiny as part of the IEC’s compliance review, aimed at ensuring adherence to electoral laws and preventing irregularities.
The commission’s actions come amid broader efforts to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process, including preventing voter fraud, ballot tampering, and other offenses outlined under Part IX of the Elections Act, which criminalizes acts such as falsifying voter registration information, forging ballot materials, and interfering with electoral equipment.
The IEC’s latest move signals a stricter enforcement posture as The Gambia heads toward crucial elections, with the commission emphasizing that only compliant and functional political parties will be allowed to operate within the country’s democratic framework.
