United Democratic Party alleges political bias over venue access

The United Democratic Party (UDP) has accused authorities of political bias following repeated denials of access to the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre. The party’s most recent request to host its 30th anniversary conference in August 2026 was rejected by the venue's management, citing unspecified technical issues and the unavailability of both the Plenary Hall and thematic rooms.

The UDP claims this is part of a pattern of unequal treatment. The party noted that while it was previously told the facility had stopped renting to political parties, the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) was permitted to use the venue for its manifesto launch in June. Similar technical constraints were reportedly cited when the UNITE Party attempted to book the facility.

As The Gambia approaches the 2026 presidential election, the UDP has raised concerns that restricted access to public venues and unequal airtime on the Gambia Radio and Television Service (GRTS) undermine the conditions necessary for free and fair elections. The party has called on the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and civil society to monitor these patterns of discrimination.