An important chapter in the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) history has come to an end with the official announcement of Alhagie Alieu Momarr Njai’s retirement. The IEC saw a number of significant elections during his direction, chief among them the 2016 election that saw Yahya Jammeh lose power to Adama Barrow in a calm but tumultuous transfer of power.
During Njai’s tenure, there have been allegations of voter tampering. He has, however, been dedicated to improving the electoral process’s legitimacy and transparency, which includes introducing on-the-spot vote counting to boost confidence in the results of elections.
Momodou Alieu Njai, Njai’s son, confirmed his retirement and thanked his father for his service, emphasising his contribution to promoting democracy and encouraging young people to participate in politics. Momodou also praised Njai’s honesty in admitting and correcting mistakes made during his administration, which enhanced the voting system’s legitimacy.
Njai highlighted the value of integrity among public officials and expressed trust in his father’s efforts to protect the electoral process in a statement evaluating his tenure. He pointed out that it is now the Gambians’ responsibility to make sure elected representatives continue to be accountable and committed to their work.
In his capacity as Chairman, Njai presided over a number of important elections, including the historic one in 2016 that installed President Barrow. His leadership has drawn praise for emphasising credibility and openness, but it has also come under fire. Njai has continuously reaffirmed his dedication to fair electoral procedures, although several political players have expressed doubts about his ability to oversee elections, pointing to age-related concerns.
Although the IEC has not yet named Njai’s replacement, nominations and confirmation procedures are anticipated to be followed in accordance with constitutional requirements. In order to preserve public confidence and guarantee the commission’s ability to continue operating, this transition will be crucial as it gets ready for next elections.
Njai has made a substantial contribution to The Gambia’s democratic scene, especially during times of political unrest. In addition to signalling the end of his tenure as leader, his departure also represents a turning point for the nation’s electoral integrity going forward.
