IEC Vice Chairman Flags Concerns Over Suspicious Birth Certificates in Voter Registration Process

Cherno Jallow, vice chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission

By Fatou Sillah

The vice chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Cherno Jallow, has expressed concern over irregularities detected in birth certificates submitted during the ongoing voter registration exercise, warning that some of the documents require heightened scrutiny due to signs of possible manipulation.

Speaking at an IEC stakeholder engagement meeting with political parties, Jallow noted that officials have encountered multiple questionable cases, including backdated certificates and serial numbers that appear inconsistent or artificially patterned.

“This is a very thorny issue, especially where birth certificates are backdated. We have come across instances where birth certificates carry identical serial numbers. In one case, we found serial numbers such as 315 and 123 following a sequential pattern, which raises suspicion,” he said.

He further disclosed that some documents appeared to have been altered, calling their authenticity into question.

“We have also seen cases where birth certificates have been tampered with. In some instances, people have attempted to alter information, including months being written in French,” he added.

According to Jallow, such irregularities necessitate careful verification by IEC officials to safeguard the integrity of the voter register.

“There are instances where we must apply judgment when documents appear suspicious. We subject them to thorough scrutiny to ensure that only credible records are entered into the database, thereby protecting the integrity of the process,” he explained.

He also emphasized that possession of a birth certificate does not automatically confer citizenship, noting that gaps in the current legal framework contribute to misunderstandings and potential misuse.

“The law states that you must present a birth certificate, but it does not automatically grant nationality or citizenship. Having a birth certificate does not necessarily make someone Gambian,” he said.

Jallow, therefore, called for clearer and more precise legal provisions to address such ambiguities and prevent exploitation of the system.

“The law has to be specific; otherwise, it creates problems once it becomes ambiguous, because somebody can say I have a birth certificate because the law says I have to do that,” he cautioned.