Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – As The Gambia prepares to enter a decisive election cycle, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU), has launched a four-day workshop focused on Elections Management and Combating Fake News.
The training brings together representatives of political parties, civil society organizations, the media, and the security services to build capacity and promote electoral integrity.
In his opening remarks, IEC Vice Chairman Cherno Jallow underscored the critical role of partnerships in safeguarding democratic processes, describing the ongoing collaboration between the IEC, UNDP, and EU as a “journey of democratic construction.”
“Elections are just one aspect of the process of democratic construction. It is not something that happens overnight,” Jallow said. “The UNDP and the European Union have always been by our side to support us and complement the efforts of government and other partners.”
Jallow emphasized that the IEC’s role is to “shepherd a process that belongs to the people,” ensuring that elections are peaceful, transparent, credible, and inclusive—qualities he described as essential for sustaining national peace and stability.
The workshop comes at a time when misinformation, hate speech, and fake news pose growing threats to electoral credibility across the region. Jallow noted that the IEC has increasingly been targeted by false information online, including fake recruitment adverts and misleading statements about its operations.
“In this era of artificial intelligence, nobody is spared,” he warned. “Every day you see advertisements purportedly coming from the IEC. We have been trying to respond to these on a timely basis, but this highlights the importance of timely and accessible information to close the space for speculation.”
The IEC vice chairman called for proactive communication and collaboration among all electoral stakeholders to counter disinformation and foster trust in the electoral process.
He urged participants to make full use of the training, not only to enhance their own competence but also to pass on the knowledge gained to colleagues, party supporters, and community members.
“Integrity and accountability are key elements in building trust,” Jallow stressed. “We must ensure that the process is beyond reproach at the end of the day.”
The UNDP and EU have been long-standing partners in supporting The Gambia’s democratic reforms, particularly in strengthening electoral institutions and promoting civic education. Their continued engagement ahead of the upcoming elections signals a shared commitment to upholding electoral integrity and combating disinformation in a fast-changing media landscape.
The four-day workshop will feature expert sessions on electoral administration, media ethics, countering misinformation, and building stakeholder confidence—crucial components as the country prepares for a high-stakes election season that will test its democratic maturity.
