The electoral process to determine the candidates for Gambia’s next presidential election kicked off on Tuesday with 27 aspirants looking to be cleared to run for the presidency when the country goes to the polls on December 5th.
The nomination period will last from 3 to 14th November 2026.
Young businessman Salieu Jallow, an independent aspirant, was the first to present his nomination papers including proof of citizenship, and income tax clearance to the Independent Electoral Commission.
Jallow, 30, and a native of the fishing town of Tanji in the West Coast Region, appeared calm on the top of a brown Range Rover accompanied by the sound from a few of his supporters and a drummer as he made his way to the IEC headquarters in Kanifing.
Speaking shortly after tendering his documents to the IEC chairman Joseph Colley, Mr. Jallow expressed confidence about making the final cut to the presidential race, vowing to fight endemic corruption, bring hope among Gambia’s ranks of the unemployed by creating thousands of jobs for young people, improve national security, and increase civil servant salaries.
Mr. Jallow didn’t provide the mandatory D1 million fee required but promised to do so during the course of the nomination process.
Next to appear at the IEC with his nomination papers on Tuesday afternoon was Momodou Lamin Sima of the Alliance for Progressive Citizens (APC). Mr. Sima is a retired public service employee of the Social Security and Housing Finance Cooperation (SSHFC).
Facing the press, the insurance agent said employment is a burning issue of the day which affects the majority of Gambians. As an investor in the Gambian health sector, Mr. Sima vowed that should be elected president his administration will improve the health sector especially the provision of hospital beds, medicines and other medical equipment the lack of which poses challenges for those seeking medical services.
To the applause of his teeming supporters, Sima later confronted journalists who questioned whether it was intentional by him to provide a copy of his identity card instead of the original to the IEC as proof of his Gambian citizenship.
The nomination will continue in the coming days during which President Adama Barrow and his political godfather turned foe Ousainou Darboe will have their chance to tender their bids to run for the presidency.
All aspirants will be notified of the outcome of their nominations before the official start to the election campaign later this month.
Meanwhile, earlier on Tuesday, the IEC confirmed the withdrawal of the All Inclusive Party as contenders in next month’s presidential election.