Juwara Calls for Reform of Law Restricting Parties From Challenging Ineligible Voters

By Makutu Manneh

Political analyst Lamin Juwara has called for reforms to The Gambia’s electoral laws, arguing that restrictions preventing political parties from directly challenging the eligibility of registered voters in court undermine the integrity of the electoral process.

Speaking on Kerr Fatou’s Politic Kaacha program, Mr. Juwara questioned the rationale behind a legal framework that denies political parties the right to initiate court proceedings against individuals suspected of being ineligible to vote.

He described the restriction as a weakness in the country’s electoral legislation that should be addressed to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public confidence in elections.

His remarks followed the removal of 62 individuals found to be ineligible for inclusion on the 2026 supplementary voter register ahead of the December 5 presidential election.

Mr. Juwara warned that without the legal challenges that led to their removal, the individuals could have participated in the election, potentially influencing its outcome.

“If those cases had not been taken to court, these individuals would have participated in voting. In our simple majority system, 62 votes could be a deciding factor in electing The Gambia’s president in the upcoming presidential election,” he said.

He argued that the significance of the court decisions extended beyond the number of individuals removed, raising broader questions about the effectiveness of safeguards designed to protect the credibility of the voter register.

Mr. Juwara also cautioned against viewing the legal challenges through a partisan lens, saying the central issue was not whether the United Democratic Party (UDP) or another group initiated the proceedings, but whether the electoral system adequately prevents ineligible individuals from voting.

He maintained that ensuring the accuracy of the voter register should be a shared national priority, regardless of political affiliation.

Describing the removal of the 62 individuals as a positive development for Gambian democracy, Mr. Juwara said those responsible for bringing the cases before the courts deserved recognition for their efforts to safeguard the electoral process.