IEC Receives 12 Presidential Nomination Submissions, Eight Yet to Be Processed

By Pa Modou Cham

BANJUL, November 9, 2026 – The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) says it received 12 nomination submissions from aspiring presidential candidates by the end of the sixth day of the nomination period, despite initially expecting submissions from 18 prospective candidates.

IEC Chairman Joseph Colley disclosed this while briefing journalists on the progress of the nomination exercise, which commenced on November 4 and is scheduled to end on November 14, 2026.

According to Colley, six aspiring candidates who had collected nomination papers did not submit them, effectively withdrawing from the process.

Those who withdrew include the All-Inclusive Party, the National Unity Party (NUP), which reportedly communicated its decision to join the Team Gambia Grand Coalition, and four independent aspirants: Musa Jallow, Ismail Jobe, Alkali Cham and another aspiring candidate.

Of the 12 submissions received, eight had not been fully processed at the time of the briefing, largely due to outstanding requirements, including the non-payment of the mandatory D1 million nomination deposit.

The affected submissions include those of the Democratic Party, independent aspirant Salieu Jallow, Alieu Sowe and Joseph Henry Joof.

Colley further disclosed that the nomination of independent aspirant Bakusa Dukureh had not been processed following public statements concerning his dual nationality. He said the candidate’s senior secondary school certificate had also been forwarded to the relevant authorities for verification.

Meanwhile, the IEC has processed the nomination papers of seven aspiring candidates, although some remain subject to additional requirements and verification.

Among them is Modou Lamin Sima of the Alliance of Progressive Citizens (APC), who must submit an additional 1,040 signatures from registered voters to meet the national threshold of 5,000.

For Ansu Sanneh of the National Builders Party, the IEC said further verification was ongoing regarding his citizenship and the signatures submitted in support of his candidature. He is required to provide an additional 144 signatures from the Banjul Administrative Area, 23 from the Basse Administrative Area and 379 to meet the national threshold.

The nomination papers of Kebba Bojang of the National Democratic Party have also been processed, with further verification being conducted on his senior secondary school certificate. He is required to provide five additional signatures from Banjul, 21 from Kanifing and 1,914 to meet the national requirement.

Independent aspirant Bakary K. Badjie has been asked to provide additional signatures from several administrative areas, including 125 from Banjul, 36 from Kanifing, 110 from Kerewan, 127 from Mansakonko, 44 from Janjanbureh and 91 from Basse. Nationally, he is required to submit an additional 2,310 signatures.

The IEC also confirmed that the nomination papers of Talib Ahmed Bensouda of UNITE have been processed, with no additional documentation or voter signatures required.

Similarly, Ebrima Tabora Manneh of the People’s Alliance Party has had his nomination papers processed but must provide additional signatures, including 57 from Kanifing, eight from Mansakonko and three from Janjanbureh, as well as 1,510 additional signatures to meet the national threshold.

Colley said the nomination process remains ongoing, with more aspiring candidates expected to submit their papers before the November 14 deadline.

He assured the media that the Commission would continue providing updates on nomination submissions, their processing status and any outstanding corrections or requirements.

The IEC is expected to announce the names of candidates who have successfully met all nomination requirements and have been endorsed to contest the December 5, 2026 presidential election in due course.