Marr Nyang Says Village Heads and Their Families Have Political Rights, Calls Stamp Seizure ‘Voter Suppression’

By Seedy Jobe

Marr Nyang, the founder of Gambia Participates, said Monday that Alikalolu, along with their family members, are entitled to associate with any political party, arguing that recent actions taken against an Alkalo in the Central River Region amount to voter suppression.

Speaking on QTV’s “This Morning” program on April 13, Mr. Nyang criticized the reported seizure of an Alkalo’s official stamp in Nyagen, describing it as an abuse of authority by regional officials.

“We consider that to be an act of voter suppression,” Mr. Nyang said, rejecting the implication that political affiliation disqualifies an Alkalo or a relative from participating in administrative processes tied to voter registration.

Mr. Nyang said it was common practice for Alikalolu, many of whom are elderly or face physical or literacy challenges, to entrust administrative duties, including the handling of official stamps, to relatives. In such cases, he said, the Alkalo typically validates documents with a thumbprint.

He argued that neither the country’s local government laws nor its electoral statutes prohibit traditional leaders or their families from political participation. Any such restriction, he added, would conflict with constitutional protections, including political rights guaranteed under Sections 26 and 39 of the 1997 Constitution.

“The Alkalo and their sons all have the right to be associated with any political party,” he said, citing provisions in the Constitution protecting freedom of association and political participation.

At issue, Mr. Nyang said, is whether the stamp had been misused to facilitate the registration of ineligible voters, such as minors or noncitizens, in violation of the Elections Act. He noted that no such allegations had been substantiated.

“But the government has not accused or proven that it has happened,” he said. “So this is a clear voter suppression.”

Mr. Nyang suggested the action may have been politically motivated, pointing to Nyagen as a potential opposition stronghold. He also raised concerns about what he described as inconsistent enforcement.

He cited examples of other village heads who have publicly supported the ruling National People’s Party or the opposition United Democratic Party without facing similar sanctions.

“Does the opposition not also have the right to say those Alikalolu are politically inclined and should not be given the stamp?” he asked.

Mr. Nyang warned that such actions could undermine confidence in the voter registration process and the broader electoral system.

“If the voter register is not clean, your election is not going to be clean,” he said, adding that the situation reflected what he called “the weaponization of the state apparatus to suppress voters.”

He said Gambia Participates had deployed observers across all 53 constituencies and conducted its own inquiry into the matter, which he said informed its position.

The organization is calling for the immediate return of the confiscated stamp, arguing that the right to vote and to be registered is constitutionally protected and non-negotiable.

Mr. Nyang also noted that legal mechanisms already exist to challenge improper voter registration. Under electoral law, objections can be filed during sessions of revising courts after the publication of supplementary voter lists by the electoral commission.

“The government needs to respect the law,” he said. “We are all called upon to be law-abiding, and that example must come from those in authority.”