IEC Clears Nine Candidates for December 5 Presidential Election

By Makutu Manneh

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has approved the nominations of nine candidates to contest The Gambia’s presidential election on December 5, 2026. Eight of the candidates are men and one is a woman.

The approved candidates are:

• Adama Barrow, National People’s Party (NPP)
• Ousainu Darboe, United Democratic Party (UDP)
• Talib Ahmed Bensouda, UNITE
• Momodou Lamin Sima, Alliance of Progressive Citizens
• Dr Isatou Touray, Independent
• Lamin J. Darboe, Team Gambia Grand Coalition
• Ebrima Tabora Manneh, People Alliance Party (PAP)
• Almameh Gibba, No-To-Alliance
• Ansu Sanneh, National Builders Party (NBP)

The announcement also marks a historic first. Dr Touray becomes the first Gambian woman to reach this stage of the presidential nomination process.

With nominations now concluded, the nine candidates will go head-to-head for the presidency on December 5.