IEC Ramps Up Election Preparations, Seeks Nearly 10,000 Polling Officials

By Seedy Jobe

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is stepping up preparations for The Gambia’s December 5 presidential election, with plans to recruit nearly 10,000 election personnel to oversee voting across the country.

The commission’s director of communications, Pa Makan Khan, disclosed the recruitment plans during an interview with GRTS on Wednesday, saying the electoral body is working to ensure that the necessary personnel and logistical arrangements are in place ahead of the polls.

“We are very much engaged with recruitment of polling staff,” Mr. Khan said, underscoring the scale of preparations underway.

According to Mr. Khan, applications are being accepted at IEC offices nationwide, with the recruitment window scheduled to close on October 15. Successful applicants will serve in various capacities, including as presiding officers, assistant presiding officers, and other election support personnel.

He explained that candidates would undergo a competitive selection process involving shortlisting, testing, and interviews to ensure that qualified individuals are appointed.

Mr. Khan attributed the large recruitment target to the number of polling stations nationwide, currently estimated at 1,776, each requiring at least four election officials.

He said approximately 8,000 personnel would be deployed directly to polling stations, while additional staff would serve in supervisory and administrative roles, including assistant returning officers responsible for overseeing electoral activities at the constituency level.

Outlining the responsibilities of polling officials, Mr. Khan said each station would be supervised by a presiding officer, supported by personnel responsible for verifying voter registration details, applying indelible ink and directing voters through the voting process.

In a move aimed at strengthening electoral inclusivity and improving the collection of voter participation statistics, the IEC is also introducing a new position: data officer.

Mr. Khan said the officers would be responsible for documenting voter participation by gender and disability status, providing information to support electoral research, planning, and future policy decisions.

He emphasized that the initiative reflects the commission’s growing focus on ensuring that the electoral process is inclusive and that reliable data is available to assess participation among different segments of the population.

With less than two months remaining before Gambians head to the polls, Mr. Khan said the recruitment exercise forms part of the commission’s broader efforts to deliver a credible and well-organized presidential election.