The United Democratic Party (UDP) has issued a scathing condemnation of the National People’s Party (NPP)-controlled National Assembly’s decision to increase election deposits drastically, labeling the move a deliberate attempt to suppress opposition participation and consolidate President Adama Barrow’s authoritarian rule. The unprecedented hikes, which the UDP compares to tactics employed by former dictator Yahya Jammeh, have sparked widespread concern about the erosion of democratic principles in The Gambia.
The new deposit requirements, approved by the NPP-led legislature, impose significant financial barriers for candidates seeking public office. Presidential candidates now face a deposit of D1 million, a staggering 9,900% increase from the previous D10,000. National Assembly candidates must pay D150,000, up 2,900% from D5,000. Mayoral and chairperson candidates are required to deposit D100,000, while councillor deposits have risen 233% from D3,000 to D10,000. These increases, according to the UDP, are designed to exclude grassroots candidates and entrench the NPP’s dominance.
In a strongly worded statement, the UDP drew parallels between the current policy and Jammeh’s 2015 strategy, when he raised presidential deposits by 4,900% to D500,000 to financially cripple his rivals. The NPP’s justification for the hikes—promoting “election integrity”—was dismissed by the UDP as a pretext. “The true aim is to exclude grassroots candidates,” the party stated, noting that the new councillor deposit exceeds the average Gambian’s annual income. The UDP argued that the D1 million presidential fee ensures only Barrow’s wealthy allies can afford to run, effectively rigging the electoral system in favor of NPP incumbents.
The opposition party also highlighted that the hikes violate regional democratic standards, specifically Article 2 of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which mandates affordable electoral participation. The UDP accused the Barrow administration of flouting its obligations under ECOWAS and undermining The Gambia’s democratic progress since the 2016 ousting of Jammeh. “This is a direct assault on democracy,” the UDP declared, warning that the policy represents an “economic coup” aimed at stifling political competition.
The UDP has called for urgent intervention from ECOWAS to address what it describes as a flagrant breach of democratic norms. The party also appealed to the United Nations, the African Union, and the international community to take note of Barrow’s escalating efforts to suppress democracy in The Gambia. “Barrow is imposing financial barriers to elections,” the UDP stated, urging global stakeholders to hold the regime accountable for its actions.
In a rallying cry to Gambians, the UDP called for unified resistance against the new policy, urging all political parties, civil society groups, and citizens to oppose what it termed “roadblocks to democracy.” Quoting the maxim, “When tyranny becomes law, resistance becomes duty,” the UDP vowed to mobilize against the hikes and defend the democratic gains achieved through years of struggle. The party emphasized that the right to participate in free and fair elections is a cornerstone of democracy, one that must not be compromised by financial gatekeeping.
The statement has reignited debates about the state of democracy in The Gambia, with many observers expressing alarm at the parallels to Jammeh’s authoritarian playbook. As the country prepares for future elections, the UDP’s call to action underscores the growing tensions between the ruling NPP and opposition forces. Political analysts warn that the deposit hikes could deepen public discontent and further polarize the nation’s political landscape.
The UDP’s Media Team concluded by reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding The Gambia’s democracy, vowing to work tirelessly to ensure that all Gambians can participate in the political process without facing insurmountable financial barriers.
