By Makutu Manneh
The Gambian government said it welcomed the findings of a recent public opinion survey by the Center for Policy, Research, and Strategic Studies (CepRass), arguing that the results underscore the governing National People’s Party’s continued electoral strength despite signs of public frustration.
In a statement issued through the Ministry of Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services, the government said public debate surrounding the poll—particularly its questions on “intention to vote” and “likely winner”—had been widely misinterpreted.
“When properly interpreted, both the ‘likely winner’ scenario and the ‘intention to vote’ scenario point to structural strength for the governing NPP, not weakness,” the statement said.
Government officials pointed to what they described as a 26-point lead over the nearest challenger, calling it a decisive margin that, by electoral standards, represents a commanding advantage. The finding, the statement added, suggests that the NPP is broadly viewed as the dominant political force ahead of the 2026 elections.
While acknowledging public dissatisfaction in certain areas, the government argued that such sentiments have not coalesced into a unified electoral alternative. According to the statement, voters appear to recognize that opposition fragmentation weakens its chances and may therefore still view the NPP-led alliance as the most likely to prevail.
The government further contended that elections are not decided by dissatisfaction or online discourse alone but by organization, alliances, voter mobilization, and institutional presence. “The poll shows that the NPP currently leads on all four,” the statement said.
At the same time, the government described the survey as reflecting a politically engaged and critical population, noting that Gambians are expressing demands for improved governance, faster reforms, and stronger economic performance.
“The CepRass poll reflects a politically aware, critical, and engaged population. Gambians are expressing demands for better governance, faster reform, and improved economic outcomes,” the release stated.
The statement said the government takes these concerns seriously and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening democratic institutions, combating corruption through lawful means, accelerating economic transformation, and maintaining peace and national stability.
“Democracy thrives not on denial but on dialogue, responsibility, and continuous improvement,” the statement concluded. “The Government of The Gambia remains fully committed to that path.”
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