Former vice president Dr Isatou Touray yesterday stormed the IEC headquarters seeking nomination to contest the December 2026 presidential election to, as she put it, bring sweeping changes to the system.
Dr Touray, who actually turned up with her symbol, a broom, went through the rituals of nomination including submission of authentic documents relating to her education, tax, citizenship, assets and the all-important D1 million deposit slip.
Speaking after the exercise, Dr Touary said even though she could not distance herself from the government of Barrow which she served, there are so many things not accomplished or needing to change hence the broom to conduct some sweeping.
The former vice president said the failure to implement constitutional reforms was among the major shortcomings of the Barrow administration, recalling that the 2016 political coalition had promised a three-year transitional presidency before fresh elections and institutional reforms.
Before her, was the turn of Democratic Party leader Yusupha A Dumbuya who after completing the rituals, called for economic and social reforms, saying Gambians needed a new direction after 65 years of independence?
“The time is right for the Gambian people to enjoy economic sovereignty. The time is right to uplift our people to greater economic prosperity,” he said.
The IEC said both aspirants’ documents would undergo further examination and due diligence before a final decision is made.
Meanwhile, the third aspirant scheduled for yesterday, Basamba Drammeh of GAP, was a no show, having already abandoned the race to endorse UDP’s Ousainu Darboe.
The nominations continue today with Gambia Labour Party, Awa Bah Gambia Builder Party are expected to file nominations.
