Four presidential hopefuls for the December 4th elections were at the country’s electoral commission early visited Saturday morning to submit papers for nominations ahead of the December polls.
Independent candidate Joseph Joof opened the day followed by Marie Sock who was asked by IEC officials to submit more documents to complete her nomination bid. Another Independent candiate in Alagie Mamady Kurang also made an appearance, promising huge breakthroughs in the upcoming elections before the arrival of the 4th hopeful Mathew Gomez who withdrew his bid for nomination at the last minute.
“At the moment we need change, we need someone who understands the political, economic and social issues. I am a problem solver and I understand the economic problems,” Alhaji Mamadi Kurang told waiting journalists.
The first female presidential candidate, Marie Sock who was accompanied to the election house by his husband said: “I want to be a voice for every Gambian, it is only us that can make a change for us and our children. I was inspired by the struggle of my people. I am a mother, and if this is what I must do to help so be it.”
The criteria for nominations include a Gambian citizenship and completion of High School among other conditions including sworn asset declaration with a tax clearance certificate and a deposit sum of D10,000, a symbol, colour and photograph and strict adherence to IEC Code of Campaign Ethics
“I will win these elections. I am very optimistic. Gambia needs a new breed of politicians, another candidate in Joseph Joof the first independent runner to file his nomination papers, told journalists.
The independent electoral commission has scheduled seven days, starting from Saturday October 30th to November 5th for the nomination process, which takes the country closer to its first elections in the post Jammeh era.
