By Staff Reporter
The political future of Omar Jatto Jammeh, the National Assembly Member for Janjanbureh, has come under scrutiny following his public declaration that he has joined the ruling National People’s Party, despite having been elected as an independent candidate.
In a video circulating on social media that was shared by State House photographer, Mr. Jammeh confirmed his decision to join the ruling party, citing support for the government’s development agenda. The announcement has prompted renewed debate over the constitutional implications of such a move.
Section 91 of The Gambia’s 1997 Constitution governs the tenure of seats in the National Assembly of The Gambia. Subsection 91(1) states that a member shall vacate his or her seat under specific circumstances, including subsection (e), which provides that a lawmaker must relinquish the position “if, having been elected a member as an independent candidate, he or she joins a political party.”
Legal analysts say the provision leaves little room for interpretation. If Mr. Jammeh’s declaration is formally recognized, they argue, the Constitution appears to require that he vacate his seat, triggering a by-election in the Janjanbureh constituency.
So far, neither the leadership of the National Assembly nor the Independent Electoral Commission has issued an official statement on the matter. However, officials and supporters of the National People’s Party have taken to social media to welcome Mr. Jammeh’s move to their party.
The episode underscores the fragile balance between individual political realignments and constitutional safeguards designed to protect voter choice. For constituents in Janjanbureh, the coming days may determine whether their representative remains in office—or whether they will soon be called back to the polls.
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