The National Democratic Party (NDP) has intensified its criticism of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), accusing the body of a lack of transparency, fairness, and accountability in handling party leader Kebba Madi Bojang’s presidential candidacy for the December 5 election.
In a strongly worded press statement issued today, the NDP said recent efforts to seek clarification and correction of nomination documents had raised “further serious questions” about the electoral process. Party representatives were reportedly denied access to IEC premises while attempting to inquire about the status of Bojang’s nomination and related documents.
“Why the denial of access? What is the IEC concealing? And why has the status of our candidate remained unclear?” the statement asked. The party said these developments had deepened concerns about possible administrative irregularities, interference, and manipulation in the handling of its nomination.
The NDP warned it would not accept legitimate questions being met with “closed doors, unexplained restrictions and institutional silence.” It insisted that the electoral process “belongs to the people, not to individuals who may seek to manipulate its outcome behind closed doors.”
The party demanded transparency, accountability, and an immediate, unambiguous explanation from the IEC. It called on the commission to clarify the status of Bojang’s candidacy and account for the circumstances surrounding the reported denial of access.
“No political institution should be above scrutiny, and no candidate should be subjected to uncertainty through an unexplained process,” the statement said.
The latest accusations follow the IEC’s rejection of Bojang’s nomination earlier this week. IEC Chairman Joseph Colley cited discrepancies between the date of birth on Bojang’s academic records from the West African Examinations Council (listed as March 15, 1995) and the date on the identification document he submitted (March 15, 1975). The commission has confirmed five other candidates while rejecting two nominations over eligibility concerns.
Bojang, 51, submitted his papers on November 6 and has previously insisted his documents are authentic and that he meets constitutional requirements, including completion of senior secondary education. The NDP has maintained there are no legal grounds for rejection and has urged the IEC to base its decisions solely on evidence and the law.
The IEC has not yet publicly responded to the NDP’s latest claims regarding access to its premises.
