The country’s independent Electoral Commission has officially announced that Incumbent President Adama Barrow, opposition leaders, Ousaniou Darboe of UDP, Mama Kandeh of GDC, Halifa Sallah of PDIOIS , new comers in Independent Candidate, Essa Mabye Faal and Abdoulie Ebrima Jammeh who leads the National Unity party are the only qualified candidates out 26 who filed nominations to contest in the December 4 Presidential Elections.
It started with 26 candidates and one withdrawal narrowing the field to 25, but the IEC has dropped a third of the aspirants, leaving only 5 parties and one independent qualified to contest in the 2021 Presidential Elections.
Electoral chief Alieu Momar Njie who made the announcement at news conference on Saturday said most aspiring hopefuls failed to present the required paper work to back their nomination bid.
A political race that attracted more than 12 independent aspirants became trimmed to a bare minimum with aspiring debutant Essa Faal, becoming the only independent candidate to make it.
Another Newcomer, former aviationist and Brikama Born Abdoulie Ebrima Jammeh who leads the National Unity party also made it in the final call alongside the opposition UDP, GDC, PDOIS and the incumbent President Barrow who leads the National People’s Party NPP.
The race to stateHouse enters a new phase as nominations wrap up. Political Parties and their candidates are expected to begin campaigns in the next few days with the IEC set to release the campaign itinerary for the 2021 Presidential Elections.
The following were disqualified Joseph Hendry Joof, independent Candidate, Marie Sock, independent Candidate, Alagie Mamady Kurang, independent Candidate, Ebrima Camara Manneh, Independent candidate, Momodou Bah, Independent candidate, Bankole Banki, independent Candidate, Lamin Satu Bojang, ANRD, Mai Ahmad Fatty, GMC, Momodou SK Camara, Independent candidate, Ismaila Ceesay, CA, Sheikh Tijan Hydara, GANU, Alieu Sowe, GAP, Sheik Matarr Nyang, Independent candidate , Papa Faal, Independent Candidate and Yusupha A. Dumbuya of DP
Reactions
Meanwhile, Mai Ahamad has reacted to his disqualifications by the IEC in a statement released shortly after the announcement.
“I am disappointed that the IEC claimed the reason for not accepting my nomination was because we did not have the required number of 200 voters from Banjul. This is inaccurate. The process is not yet over. I will file an immediate appeal against this wrongful decision. I am convinced that the improper decision would be reversed. I call on all GMC and other supporters to remain calm as we tackle this issue,”
Gambia Democratic Party Spokesperson, Hon. Omar Ceesay also issued a statement celebrating his party’s qualification to contest in the elections.
“As the flag bearer of the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) and No Alliance Movement(NAM) finally got his nomination accepted by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the leadership ( Hon. Mamma Kandeh) wishes to seize this opportunity to congratulate and thank all the supporters, militants, and sympathizers of the alliance for their sacrifices, magnanimous contributions, and support for the party’s Presidential aspirant.”
