The Gambia prepares for elections with NDI mission and calls for restraint

As The Gambia prepares for its upcoming presidential elections, international observers and local commentators are emphasizing the need for stability and adherence to official electoral processes.

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is deploying a pre-election assessment mission from August 24-28. Co-led by former U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield and former Nigerian electoral official Professor Attahiru Jega, the delegation will meet with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and various stakeholders to gather information on electoral preparations. The mission aims to provide recommendations to support transparent and inclusive polling.

In a separate development, political commentator Pa Njie Giri-Gara has urged political parties to refrain from announcing their own election results before the IEC makes official declarations. Giri-Gara warned that such actions, specifically citing remarks from the United Democratic Party (UDP), could incite tension and threaten national peace. He also called for a visible security presence from the Gambia Armed Forces during the counting and announcement period to deter potential unrest.