By: Kebba Ansu Manneh
Holders of 2016 voter cards will not be permitted to vote in the upcoming December 2026 presidential election or any subsequent polls unless they register for new cards during the ongoing supplementary voter registration exercise, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has confirmed.
Pa Makan Khan, the IEC’s communication officer, issued the clarification in response to growing public concerns that many long-time cardholders could be disenfranchised. He stressed that the 2016 cards, which have been in circulation for a full decade, are no longer valid.
“2016 cards have expired. That’s 10 years ago. They are no longer in use. 2021 voter cards are the valid ones,” Khan told reporters. “If one holding the 2016 voter’s card and didn’t register in 2021, the person should register in 2026.”
The supplementary registration, which began on April 8, 2026, is scheduled to end on May 21, 2026. IEC teams have been deployed across the country to more than 700 registration centers to accommodate eligible voters.
Khan explained that the exercise primarily targets young Gambians turning 18 by December 5, 2026—the date set for the presidential election—as well as those needing to replace lost or damaged cards or transfer their details. However, he emphasized that 2016 cardholders who missed the 2021 registration must take advantage of this final opportunity to update their status.
Many 2016 cardholders have expressed frustration, arguing that the IEC’s public notifications focused mainly on first-time voters approaching voting age, while offering limited specific alerts to older cardholders about the expiry—some fear they could be left out of the electoral process despite years of participation.
The IEC communication officer countered that possessing a valid voter’s card remains the only means of exercising one’s franchise. “Election is a civic duty that must be embraced by all and sundry,” Khan said. “Anyone who wishes to vote in the forthcoming election must possess a valid voter’s card, without which one will not be able to participate. Register to vote in the next election.”
With just over seven months to the December 5, 2026, presidential election, electoral authorities are urging all eligible Gambians to visit their nearest registration center before the May 21 deadline. Failure to do so could exclude thousands from shaping the country’s political future.
The IEC has reiterated its commitment to a transparent, inclusive, and credible electoral process, calling on citizens to fulfill their civic responsibility by ensuring their names appear on the updated voters’ roll.
