IEC Sets Presidential Nomination Dates, Other Key Election Activities

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of The Gambia has announced the official timeline for the upcoming presidential election, which is scheduled to take place on 5 December 2026.

IEC Chairman Joseph Colley confirmed the dates during a stakeholders’ engagement held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre. According to the Commission, the formal nomination period for presidential candidates will run from 3 to 14 November. Prospective candidates may begin obtaining nomination forms free of charge starting 21 September.

To qualify for the presidency, candidates must be Gambian citizens by birth or descent, at least 30 years old, and have completed senior secondary education. Requirements for nomination include the support of at least 5,000 registered voters, a sworn declaration of assets, a tax clearance certificate, and a deposit of one million dalasis. Candidates must also provide a representative symbol, color, and digital photographs.

The IEC has appointed Joseph Colley as the Returning Officer for the election, supported by a team of Senior Assistant Returning Officers assigned to various administrative regions. Nine collation centers have been designated across the country to process election results.

The campaign period is set to commence on 16 November, following the reconciliation of candidate itineraries on 15 November. A mandatory cooling-off period will be observed on 4 December, during which all campaign activities must cease.

Regarding the ongoing work of the country’s 14 revising courts, Chairman Colley stated that the IEC will not interfere with their proceedings. The courts are currently hearing cases as part of the electoral preparation process, with a 60-day window provided under the Elections Act to complete their work.

The Commission also noted that there are currently 24 registered political parties in The Gambia. While three additional parties have completed the registration process, the IEC stated their names will be formally announced once the final clearance procedures are concluded.

Voting on 5 December will take place from 8 am to 5 pm. The IEC has published the official election notice in the Gazette, which is available for public purchase.

Article and image source: allafrica.com