Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, THE GAMBIA) The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has rejected the presidential nomination submissions of the Gambia Labour Party (GLP) and the National Democratic Party (NDP), while confirming that four other aspirants have met the requirements for their candidatures in the December 5 presidential election.
In an update issued on Thursday, the Commission said GLP candidate Bakusa Dukureh was rejected after acknowledging that he holds dual citizenship and nationality. The IEC also found that his Senior Secondary School Certificate was unauthentic and false following verification with the relevant school.
The candidature of Kebba Madi Bojang of the NDP was also rejected over a discrepancy in his date of birth. According to the IEC, his academic records indicate that he was born on March 15, 1995, while his identity documents submitted to the Commission state March 15, 1975, a difference of 20 years.
Meanwhile, the IEC confirmed that the nomination papers of incumbent President Adama Barrow, Modou Lamin Sima of the Alliance of Progressive Citizens, independent aspirant Isatou Touray, Talib Ahmed Bensouda of UNITE and United Democratic Party leader A.N.M. Ousainou Darboe were in order and accepted.
Several Candidates Still Face Outstanding Requirements
Beyond the outright rejections and accepted submissions, several other aspirants remain under review as they work to satisfy outstanding nomination requirements.
Ansu Sanneh of the National Builders Party has submitted additional voter signatures, but his citizenship status is still undergoing verification. He also has outstanding signature requirements of 144 in the Banjul Administrative Area, 23 in Basse and 379 nationally.
Independent aspirant Bakary K. Badjie is required to provide additional signatures across six administrative areas, with a national shortfall of 2,310.
Ebrima Tabora Manneh of the People’s Alliance Party has also submitted additional signatures but remains short of the required numbers in Kanifing, Mansakonko and Janjanbureh, with a national shortfall of 1,507.
The IEC said the additional signatures submitted by both Sanneh and Manneh were still being processed.
Independent aspirant Papa Secka, who has now paid the required D1 million nomination deposit, has had his papers processed but must provide additional voter signatures from Banjul, Kanifing, Mansakonko, Janjanbureh and Basse. His national shortfall stands at 3,062 signatures.
Citizenship Verification Still Pending
The IEC has also processed the nomination papers of independent aspirant Lamin J. Darbo, recording 840 supporting signatures nationally. However, verification of his renunciation of British citizenship is still ongoing.
For independent aspirant Almameh Gibba, the Commission reported supporting signatures from Banjul, Mansakonko, Kerewan and Basse administrative areas, with his additional requirements still subject to processing.
The Commission said the nomination review period, which began on November 3, will end on November 14, 2026.
It added that no new nomination papers had been submitted during the review period, apart from corrections and additional documents provided by aspirants asked to address outstanding requirements.
The December 5 presidential election will determine who leads The Gambia for the next five years, with Barrow seeking a third term in office.
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