IEC Confirms Five Presidential Candidates, Rejects Two Nominations Ahead of December Election

By Makutu Manneh

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has confirmed the nominations of five candidates for The Gambia’s December 5, 2026, presidential election, while rejecting two others over eligibility concerns and requesting additional documentation from six aspiring candidates.

IEC Chairman Joseph Colley announced the decisions during a media briefing on the status of presidential nominations, saying the five approved candidates had satisfied the commission’s nomination requirements.

The confirmed candidates are President Adama Barrow of the National People’s Party (NPP); ANM Ousainu Darboe of the United Democratic Party (UDP); Talib Ahmed Bensouda of UNITE; independent candidate Dr. Isatou Touray; and Modou Lamin Sima of the Alliance of Progressive Citizens (APC).

Colley said their nomination documents had been reviewed, found to be in order, and formally accepted by the commission.

However, the IEC rejected the nominations of Bakusa Dukureh of the Gambia Labour Party and Kebba Bojang of the National Democratic Party (NDP), citing concerns about their eligibility and the authenticity or consistency of their submitted documents.

Explaining the decision concerning Dukureh, Colley said the aspiring candidate had publicly acknowledged holding dual citizenship, raising questions about his eligibility to contest the presidency.

He further disclosed that Dukureh’s senior secondary school certificate had been determined to be inauthentic by both the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the Gambia Senior Secondary School.

Regarding Bojang, the IEC chairman said discrepancies had been identified between the date of birth recorded in documents provided by WAEC and WASS and the date appearing on the identification document submitted to the commission.

Colley said the inconsistencies formed the basis for the rejection of Bojang’s nomination.

Meanwhile, six other presidential aspirants have yet to complete the verification process, with the IEC requesting additional supporting documents or signatures from registered voters.

They are Ansu Sanneh of the National Builders Party; independent aspirants Bakary K. Badjie, Lamin J. Darbo, Almameh Gibba and Papa Secka; and Ebrima Tabora Manneh.

According to Colley, the commission is continuing to examine outstanding requirements, including proof of citizenship, evidence of renunciation of foreign citizenship where applicable, and the submission of additional signatures from registered voters.

The IEC chairman indicated that the nominations of these aspirants remain under review pending the completion of the necessary verification procedures.

The decisions come as the commission continues its assessment of presidential aspirants seeking to contest the December 5 election.