Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The National Democratic Party (NDP) has defended the academic qualifications of its presidential candidate, Kebba Madi Bojang, presenting what it says are supporting documents confirming that he sat the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) during the 2024/2025 academic year, while raising questions about the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) handling of the verification process.
In a statement issued on Friday, the party said it had obtained a WAEC Result Checking Statement bearing Bojang’s examination details and an authentication letter from West African Secondary School, dated 10 November 2026, confirming that he sat the examination during the stated academic year.
The school’s letter, signed by its principal, Gerald Umah, reportedly confirms that Bojang’s examination result corresponds with the institution’s records.
The NDP said the documents should be given proper consideration and subjected to transparent verification by the IEC, insisting that they support its candidate’s academic credentials amid questions surrounding his nomination.
However, the party also questioned the circumstances surrounding the IEC’s handling of the documents and its attempts to obtain clarification directly from the school principal.
NDP Alleges Denial Of Access To IEC Premises
The party claimed that its representatives were denied access to the IEC premises while seeking clarification on the nomination documents.
It further alleged that the school principal was inside the Commission’s premises while the entrance gate remained locked, preventing its representatives from engaging him directly.
The NDP described the incident as raising concerns about transparency and accountability, demanding an explanation from the electoral body over the alleged restriction.
It also questioned why the principal was reportedly at the IEC and why its representatives could not access him to seek clarification.
However, the party has not provided independent evidence establishing that the IEC deliberately restricted access to conceal information, manipulate the verification process or interfere with Bojang’s nomination.
Its allegations of administrative manipulation, selective treatment and institutional interference therefore remain unsubstantiated.
Similarly, the claim that the principal was deliberately kept inside the premises to prevent engagement with the NDP has not been independently verified.
Party Demands Clarification On Candidate’s Status
The NDP has called on the IEC to conduct a full verification of the WAEC documents, facilitate direct clarification from the school principal and explain the circumstances surrounding the alleged denial of access to its representatives.
It is also demanding an unambiguous statement on the status of Bojang’s presidential nomination, arguing that uncertainty surrounding the process could undermine confidence in the electoral exercise.
The controversy comes as the IEC processes presidential nominations ahead of the December 5 election, with candidates required to satisfy constitutional and other eligibility requirements.
The NDP maintained that no candidate should be subjected to unfair treatment and that the electoral process must be guided by transparency and equal treatment.
While the documents presented by the party provide a basis for its defense of Bojang’s academic qualifications, their authenticity and sufficiency for electoral purposes remain matters for the IEC to verify.
The Commission’s official position on the latest documents and the NDP’s allegations was not contained in the party’s statements.
The dispute adds another layer of scrutiny to the presidential nomination process, placing the IEC under pressure to clarify the status of the NDP candidate and address questions surrounding the verification of his academic credentials.
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