Suwaibou Touray Accuses President Barrow of Inducing Voters Ahead of 2026 Election

By Fatou Sillah

Suwaibou Touray, the leader and secretary general of the People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), has accused President Adama Barrow of using his incumbency to influence voters ahead of The Gambia’s 2026 presidential election.

In an interview with Eye Africa TV, Mr. Touray said political parties should compete for votes by presenting their policies and programs to the public, rather than offering money, food, or other forms of assistance that could sway voters.

“You go to URR now, and you find Adama Barrow there. He’s inducing people, and the law is saying don’t induce people,” Mr. Touray said. “Help them to understand your program, and let them vote for you without any pressure, without any intimidation, and without any inducement of any kind.”

Mr. Touray also raised concerns about the use of public resources by incumbents during an election period, arguing that access to state funds and other advantages of office could tilt the political playing field in favor of the governing party.

He pointed in particular to an allocation of D50 million to the Office of the President for nationwide tours, questioning whether such spending gives Mr. Barrow an advantage unavailable to opposition candidates.

Mr. Touray called for a level playing field for all political parties and stronger oversight of the electoral process to ensure that candidates compete under fair conditions.

He also warned about the influence of money in politics, saying parties that accept funding from individuals or groups with vested interests could find themselves beholden to those interests once in government.

For Mr. Touray, the way political parties pursue power is closely tied to how they are likely to govern if elected. He said parties must respect both the law and basic ethical standards, even in the heat of an election campaign.

“Because when you do those corrupt things, and you get power, you will be corrupt,” he said. “You are going with that corruption to the government.”

Mr. Touray said voters should be free to make their political choices without pressure, intimidation, or inducement, arguing that the credibility of the election depends not only on what happens at the ballot box but also on how parties conduct themselves in the months leading up to the vote.