The Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission has set November 3 to 14 as the nomination period for the presidential election scheduled for December 5. With only weeks to go before the vote, incumbent President Adama Barrow is expected to once again face his main rival from the 2021 election, Ousainou Darboe. The race for the Gambian presidency is taking shape.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has announced that candidates will have from November 3 to 14 to submit their nomination papers for the presidential election scheduled for December 5, according to local media reports.
The Commission has called on presidential hopefuls and their representatives to submit their nomination documents and pay the required fees during this period.
This stage marks a new phase in the electoral process, just weeks ahead of the vote.
Barrow vs. Darboe Again?
The election is expected to feature another face-off between Adama Barrow and Ousainou Darboe.
The incumbent president is expected to seek another term, while Darboe, a candidate for the United Democratic Party (UDP), could once again represent the country’s main opposition force against the head of state.
The two men previously faced each other in the 2021 presidential election, which was won by Adama Barrow.
Six Candidates in 2021
The previous election attracted significant interest. More than 20 hopefuls had expressed their intention to run, but only six candidates were ultimately cleared to contest the election.
Adama Barrow won the election and remained at the helm of the country. For the December 5 vote, the nomination period will determine the official list of candidates authorized to contest the presidency.
With the incumbent president seeking to remain in office and the opposition hoping to bring about a change in power, The Gambia’s presidential election is shaping up to be another major political event for the country.
