The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has set November 3 to 14 for the nomination of candidates for The Gambia’s election, which is planned for December 5 2026.
IEC Chairman Joseph Colley made the announcement on Tuesday during the commission’s stakeholders’ forum. He said that nomination forms would be available to people who want to run for president starting from September 21.
Mr Colley also shared updates on the voter registration process. He said that electoral revising courts were still reviewing objections that came up during the registration exercise.
He added that the IEC expects these courts to finish their work within the 60-day time frame allowed by law. After that the commission will be able to finalise the voter register.
“Pursuant to the enshrined principle of separation of powers the courts are independent and as such the commission shall not interfere with their deliberations ” Mr Colley said.
The IEC chairman also said the commission had begun a series of training programmes to prepare for the election.
The first training session was, about integrity and the legal framework. The second focused on the role of election stakeholders. A third training programme, scheduled for September 21 to 26 will cover operations and results management.
Participants include representatives of the Inter-Party Committee, civil society organisations, the media, the Gambia Police Force and the Gambia Federation of the Disabled, among others.
Mr Colley said the IEC intended to expand participation in future training programmes to provide stakeholders with a broader understanding of the various stages of the electoral process.
He said the training was intended to contribute to the peaceful, transparent and inclusive conduct of the December election, as well as future elections.
The announcement of the nomination dates marks another stage in preparations for the presidential election, with the IEC continuing work on the voter register, electoral training and other aspects of the electoral process.
