IEC Refers More Aspirants To Complete Nomination Requirements

Three presidential aspirants appeared before the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) yesterday on the third day of nominations for the presidential election slated for December 5.

They were Gambia Labour Party (GLP) presidential aspirant, Bakusa Dukureh, retired Major Alieu Sowe, Independent candidate and

National Builders Party (NBP) leader Ansu Sanneh.

Sanneh 48, became the first aspirant to fulfill all the IEC’s nomination requirements at once since the process started Tuesday.

The eloquent politician urged the IEC to ensure a free, fair and transparent electoral process, stressing that the Commission must remain independent and resist external influence.

He also spoke about his party’s 51-policy blueprint, covering education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, anti-corruption and emergency response services.

Sanneh further highlighted proposals to construct new airports and multiple ferry terminals to improve national connectivity.

However, questions were raised about his constitutional residency qualification and voter registration status. He confirmed that he had not yet registered as a voter, but the interview ended before he could explain how he intended to obtain a voter’s card which is a requirement.

As for Gambia Labour Party (GLP) presidential aspirant Bakusa Dukureh, also 48, he made it clear he would not renounce his American citizenship.

Under Gambian law, persons holding dual citizenship cannot contest for presidency or hold ministerial position.

But when asked about this, Dukureh, who reportedly spent 26 years in the United States and holds dual Gambian and American citizenship, said: “I am not going to renounce my citizenship anytime, anywhere and anyhow soon.”

Meanwhile, Dukureh paid the required D1 million nomination fees, however several requirements remained outstanding, including his Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) income tax clearance, signature on the Code of Election Campaign Ethics, party sponsorship letter, samples of his party colours and symbol, and original certificates.

As for retired Major Alieu Sowe, who submitted his nomination papers as an independent candidate, he would have to bring several outstanding requirements, including the D1 million deposit, income tax clearance, campaign itinerary and approved campaign colour.

The Commission also requested corrections to documents referring to his military rank and identifying the Gambia Mbeh Killing Movement as his sponsoring organisation.

Sowe, who presented an expired national identity card, maintained that he is Gambian by birth and holds no other nationality.

Defending his readiness to lead the country, he said his ambition is not driven by material considerations but by honesty and dignity. He attributed the expired identification document to difficulties he experienced during his period in exile.