The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice announces the release of its Election Watch Status Report as part of the EFSCRJ Election Watch Initiative established to independently monitor the political and electoral environment ahead of The Gambia’s December 2026 Presidential Election.
As political activities intensify with the emergence of presidential aspirants, formation of political movements and alliances, and increasing campaign activities across the country, EFSCRJ considers it imperative that civil society actively monitors the conduct of political actors and electoral institutions. A free and fair election does not begin and end on Election Day. Its credibility is determined by the entire electoral environment and the conduct of all stakeholders throughout the electoral cycle.
The Status Report identifies several emerging trends that require urgent attention. These include derogatory and inflammatory political rhetoric, abuse of incumbency, the involvement of public and traditional authorities in partisan politics, selective application of the law, the growing influence of money and resources in politics, unequal political coverage by the public broadcaster, and concerns regarding effective enforcement of electoral laws and standards.
Of particular concern is the increasing use of insulting, demeaning, and inflammatory rhetoric by political actors across the political divide. While democracy and freedom of expression protect robust political debate, criticism and satire, political discourse must not degenerate into language that promotes discrimination, hostility, polarization, or violence. Political leaders bear a heightened responsibility to restrain their supporters and promote issue-based political competition.
The report also raises serious concerns about money in politics, particularly given the absence of an effective campaign finance regulatory framework requiring transparency over the sources and expenditure of political funds. The growing display of vehicles, motorbikes, campaign materials, and other significant resources by political parties raises legitimate questions about sources of funding, political influence, and the creation of an uneven electoral playing field.
EFSCRJ further highlights concerns regarding selective law enforcement and unequal treatment of political actors, as well as the role of GRTS as the national public broadcaster. State institutions must serve every Gambian equally and must never be deployed, directly or indirectly, to advance the electoral interests of the incumbent or disadvantage political opponents.
We therefore call on the Independent Electoral Commission to strengthen its monitoring and enforcement mechanisms and proactively address violations of electoral laws and democratic standards. We equally call on political parties, the Inter-Party Committee, law enforcement agencies, GRTS, civil society organisations, election observers, and all other stakeholders to intensify efforts to protect the integrity and peaceful conduct of the electoral process.
The Gambia cannot afford a flawed election, nor can we wait until Election Day to address conditions capable of producing electoral disputes and violence. The time to prevent electoral malpractice and election violence is now.
Through the Election Watch Initiative, EFSCRJ will continue to monitor, document, expose and report electoral violations and emerging threats while highlighting good practices and advocating for corrective action. Our intervention is neither for nor against any political party or candidate. It is in defence of the Constitution, electoral integrity, democratic governance, and the sovereign right of Gambians to freely determine their leadership.
We urge citizens to remain vigilant, reject hate speech, political violence, tribalism, disinformation and vote buying, and demand accountability from every political actor and institution.
Free Elections. Fair Competition. Equal Treatment. Peaceful Gambia.
2026 – The Year of Empowered Citizens. Accountable Leadership.
