Mayor Bensouda Challenges Electoral Commission’s Position on Political Movements’ Right to Convene Congress

By Fatou Sillah

Talib Ahmed Bensouda, the mayor of Kanifing Municipality and co-founder of the Unite Movement for Change, has pushed back against remarks by the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), arguing that political movements have a constitutional right to organize congresses and conduct internal political activities.

In an interview with Kerr Fatou, Mr. Bensouda said the assertion that political movements cannot hold congresses prior to formal registration is inconsistent with constitutional protections.

“Where he said the political movement cannot do Congress, that is a mistake, and that is unconstitutional because the constitution guarantees our rights to associate and to assemble,” Mr. Bensouda said.

He added that the Unite Movement for Change would proceed with its planned congress activities regardless of its registration status, describing the process as already underway across multiple levels of the country.

“Our congress is going ahead even without registration,” he said. “We are doing congresses in every ward, constituency, and region. We are going to set up our national structures.”

Mr. Bensouda said the movement intends to elect its senior leadership, including a party leader, secretary general, and other executive members, before later selecting a presidential flag bearer.

He also cited provisions in the Elections Act, arguing that the law affirms citizens’ right to establish political parties once statutory requirements are met.

“Section 104 of the 2025 Elections Act says that one has the right to set up a political party, so when you fulfill the requirements to be a registered political party, then you go to the IEC,” he said.

Mr. Bensouda further suggested that the movement’s growing presence would become evident to political competitors, particularly the ruling National People’s Party, which he said monitors developments on the ground.

“In our rallies, you will see that there are changes, and only one party will feel those changes, which is the NPP,” he said. “They will know that change exists because they get daily intelligence reports from the ground.”