By Fatou Sillah
President Adama Barrow said on Thursday that the country’s 2026 presidential election would be conducted in a “peaceful, transparent, credible, and orderly manner,” while urging political leaders and citizens to avoid divisive rhetoric during the campaign period.
Speaking before the National Assembly in his State of the Nation Address, Mr. Barrow said his administration, working with the Independent Electoral Commission and other institutions, was committed to safeguarding the integrity of the vote.
“As we approach the 2026 presidential election, I call on all political parties, candidates, and supporters to conduct their campaigns in a spirit of peace, tolerance, and mutual respect,” he said. “Elections are a cornerstone of our democracy, and they must strengthen rather than divide us.”
His remarks come as political activity begins to intensify ahead of the vote, widely seen as a test of the country’s democratic progress in recent years.
Mr. Barrow also appealed to citizens to maintain national cohesion, saying the legitimacy of the election would depend not only on the conduct of institutions but also on the behavior of voters and political actors.
“I urge every Gambian to uphold the values of unity, dialogue, and national cohesion so that the outcome of the election reflects the will of the people and further consolidates our democratic gains,” he said.
The president concluded by calling for collective effort in nation-building, acknowledging that while challenges remain, progress depends on shared responsibility.
“We may not have the Gambia of our dreams yet,” he said, “but we are shaping it with every effort, every sacrifice, and every act of service.”
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