In preparation for the presidential election of 2026, the United Democratic Party (UDP) has unveiled its shortlist of three candidates who are vying for the opportunity to be the party’s flag bearer. In the beginning, eleven different people put in their applications to be considered for the position, however Mayor Talib Bensouda subsequently made the decision to withdraw his candidacy.
Applicants were subjected to a thorough procedure that included interviews, grassroots verifications, and evaluations of their leadership skills, integrity, unity, and electability, according to Alagie S. Darboe, the Senior Administrative Secretary of the party.
Darboe stated that the purpose of the meeting was to examine and adopt the report of the 13th panel, which was constituted to conduct interviews, screen and validate applications, and write detailed evaluation reports.
After the evaluations were completed, only three candidates, ANM Ousainou Darboe, Amadou Sanneh, and Borry S. Touray, had achieved the 60 percent level that was necessary to progress to the next stage of the competition.
He went on to say that, in order to cross the threshold and become a candidate for the potential sublisting, the individual who is being interviewed or applying for the position is required to obtain a score of sixty percent or more at the conclusion of the interview.
In addition, Darboe declared that the report that was produced by the panel has received the endorsement of the central committee. The candidates who have been shortlisted are currently participating in a consensus-building process with the council of elders of the party.
He stated that “these sub-listed applicants are currently facing the team of the council of elders, who are engaging them in the consensus building.”
