Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – The UNITE movement has asked the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to intervene over the Government’s decision to hold a presidential road-inauguration ceremony in Abuko on the same day the party is scheduled to nominate its presidential candidate, Talib Ahmed Bensouda.
In a complaint dated 2 November 2026 and addressed to IEC Chairman Joseph Colley, UNITE Secretary General Dembo B. Kanteh said the Government event at Abuko Lower Basic School, scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, 7 November, could create public-order and security challenges during the party’s nomination-day activities.
The IEC has scheduled UNITE and its Coalition 2026 partners to submit their presidential nomination papers on 7 November as part of the nomination process for the 5 December presidential election.
UNITE said it has also applied to the Inspector General of Police for permission to hold a Coalition 2026 rally at the Buffer Zone at 4:00 p.m. following Bensouda’s nomination. The party said its application remains pending.
The opposition movement alleges that the timing of the Government event could create a security conflict that might subsequently be used to justify denying permission for its rally.
UNITE said it expects about 70,000 supporters to participate in its nomination-day activities and subsequent rally, warning that the movement of large numbers of people and vehicles could place additional pressure on roads, transport services and security resources in Kanifing Municipality and the West Coast Region.
The party also expressed concern that the Government event could attract supporters of President Adama Barrow’s National People’s Party, potentially bringing rival political groups into close proximity.
UNITE argued that the road inauguration could be held on another date and accused the Government of prioritising political considerations over public safety. The party said its objection was not to the road project itself but to what it described as the timing of the ceremony.
The complaint cites Sections 89(2) and 89(3) of the Elections Act, 2025, and Section 90(b), which requires political parties and candidates to conduct campaigns in accordance with ethical and moral standards and to respect other candidates, political parties, voters and the Gambian people.
UNITE has asked the IEC to intervene with the Government to have the Abuko ceremony rescheduled and requested a written response within 48 hours.
The party also formally placed the IEC and the Inspector General of Police on notice of what it described as foreseeable public-safety risks.
UNITE said it would continue to encourage peaceful conduct and cooperate with lawful security arrangements.
The complaint comes as The Gambia enters the formal nomination phase of the presidential election. The IEC has scheduled nominations from 3 to 14 November, with UNITE’s nomination fixed for 7 November.
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