GALA Will Stay Neutral, but I’ll March With UDP Over IEC Transparency, Touray Says

By Seedy Jobe

Hakeem Touray, national coordinator of GALA, has pledged to personally join any street protest organized by the United Democratic Party (UDP) demanding greater transparency from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), while emphasizing that his organization will remain politically nonpartisan.

Speaking on Kerr Fatou’s weekly current affairs program, The Grand Bantaba, Mr. Touray said he would participate in demonstrations calling for the release of raw voter data, describing electoral transparency as a national concern that transcends political affiliations.

“If UDP takes to the streets tomorrow, I will join them 100 percent,” he declared, adding that it would mark the first time he had participated in a protest organized by a political party.

Mr. Touray drew a distinction between GALA’s institutional neutrality and the constitutional rights of its individual members, arguing that belonging to a nonpartisan civic movement should not prevent citizens from participating in matters of national importance.

He maintained that GALA would not engage in partisan political activities but that its members, as private citizens, remained free to exercise their democratic rights and advocate for accountability.

Explaining his position, Mr. Touray expressed concern about the country’s political direction ahead of the December presidential election, warning that unresolved questions surrounding the electoral process could undermine public confidence in the outcome.

He argued that elections remain the principal means through which Gambians can bring about political change and that citizens have a responsibility to demand a credible and transparent process.

According to him, participation in demonstrations over electoral transparency should not be determined by party loyalty, whether one supports the UDP, UNITE or the political movement associated with Essa Faal.

Mr. Touray also questioned the IEC’s reluctance to release the voter information requested by the UDP, arguing that the commission could address the dispute through direct engagement with political stakeholders even if it was unwilling to make the data publicly available.

He suggested that the IEC invite representatives of political parties to review the disputed information and provide explanations in a structured dialogue.

He criticized the commission for what he described as its failure to pursue either public disclosure or meaningful engagement with the parties raising concerns.

Turning to the December 5 presidential election, Mr. Touray warned that disputes involving voter figures could have significant consequences in a closely contested race involving President Adama Barrow, UDP leader Ousainu Darboe and UNITE’s Talib Ahmed Bensouda.

He specifically raised concerns about a disputed figure of 28,000 additional votes, cautioning that such a number could prove decisive in determining the election’s outcome. His remarks did not establish that the figure represented fraudulent or improperly registered votes.

Mr. Touray urged the IEC to address the concerns before the nomination and campaign periods begin, arguing that resolving the dispute early would help prevent further political tensions.

He also advised the UDP against pursuing litigation, warning that court proceedings could prolong the dispute as the election approaches.

Instead, he encouraged the party to consider sustained peaceful street demonstrations lasting a week to press its demands for electoral transparency.

Mr. Touray pledged to participate throughout any such protest, saying he would join the demonstrations every day for as long as they continued.